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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



Six Yeaes with William Tayloe 



m 



SOUTH AMERICA. 



BY 



REV. O. VON BARCHWITZ-KRAUSER. 






Published for the Author, by 

McDonald & gill, 

Office of the Christian Witness, 36 Bromfield St., 

Boston, Mass. 



\"^5^"v^ 



TbE LibR -*<Y 
WASHINGTON 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1885, by 

O. VON BARCHWITZ-KRAUSER, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Steamship "Ilo," Pacific Ocean,) 

August, 1885. J 

Foe some time it has been my wish to tell the friends 
of Bishop Taylor, and those interested in the progress 
of his " Self-supporting Missions," what God has done 
for me, while I was so privileged to preach the Gospel 
in Chili, South America. The time seems to have come 
now, and although on board the steamer, yet it seems 
to be the proper time to say something on the subject. 
My heart is so full, and I must unburden myseK to the 
honor and glory of God, as I trust it may be. Of 
course I was looking for a beginning; but so many 
thoughts of difificulties crowded into my mind, which, in- 
deed, seemed to baf&e my intention from the beginning. 

One fact seemed to trouble me much, and this was : 

3 



4 INTEODUCTION. 

"You can't write in English, — you have never studied 
that language, and you know nothing of the grammar 
and — you might do in speaking it, but to write in 
English, — you had better not do it." In all this I 
seemed to hear a whisper, and that whisper I did not 
like ; I thought I recognized the cloven foot, and the 
voice of the infernal one. So I knelt in prayer, and 
then the Comforter came, and a voice seemed to say : 
" Write ; I will bless thee. Write as best you can." 
Then the thought came to me : " There is so much said 
just now about Bishop Taylor and ' Self-supportiDg 
Missions,' that it might appear to be in time, if I, too, 
would say something of what God has done in Chili, to 
help along the cause, and, above all, glorify my Father 
which is in heaven. This being my sole object, this 
little work will, in every other respect, be quite unpre- 
tending. 

Now, in reading over what I have just written, I see 
that this might stand so, and answer as an introduc- 
tion. In the name of my Redeemer I shall go on, 
earnestly praying that the richest of blessings may at- 



INTEODIJCTION. 5 

tend tlie reading of this little book, and that the Sav- 
iour may be glorified in the face of all who wish to 
know how God blesses those who will trust Him for all 
things, and how He blessed me and kept me, soul and 
body, during the six years of self-supporting labor for 

Him. 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

My CALii, AND Work as an Evangelist in North America. 

Pushed out on a self-supporting basis — A church in great 
distress — Holiness preaching — How the Lord sends the 
supplies ---------- 11 

CHAPTER II. 

Summer and Harvest-Time Revivals. 

A remarkable answer to prayer — A blind man with good 
eyes — A wonderful experience — He careth for us — 
Midnight grace — An experience in selecting a text — 
How the Lord slew a Goliath — Filling out a number of 
blank checks — Martin Luther's ink-bottle — a compar- 
ison -.---- 37 

CHAPTER IIL 

My First Meeting with Bishop Taylor in 1879. — Dayton 
Cajsip-Meeting. 

A visit to the place of my birth — His grace all-sufficient — 
Struck in the face; glory and praise — In a prison — Jus- 
tification and entire sanctification inside of fifteen minutes, 65 

CHAPTER IV. 

My Call to South America. — A Letter and a Visit from 
Father Taylor. 

A visit from William Taylor — Leaving for South America — 
The first revival in South America — Life on the Isthmus 
— On the great Pacific — First money earned in Chili — 
Bro. Smith preaches to the natives - - - - 82 

7 



O CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

CHAPTEK V. 

On the Boedeks of Northern Patagonia. 

Landing on the field of battle — My first German sermon — 
The colony on Lake Llanquihue — How my landsmen 
live — The new idea : a holy man — First signs of oppo- 
sition — Their forlorn condition — A conference - - 100 

CHAPTER VL 

The Commencement of Work in the Colonies. 

The first convert — Taken prisoner — A missionary's pleasant 
trip to a wedding — The conversion of ten children — A 
Roman Catholic family converted to God — A trying 
change — A sure way to get bad roads repaired - - 118 

CHAPTER YII. 

A Change to the City. 

A wonderful deliverance on horseback — In Osorno — My . 
first funeral sermon — Preaching to natives — Among 
the children — Polite with dogs ----- 140 

CHAPTER YIII. 

My Call to Valparaiso. — Leaving the Colonies. 

Good common sense -- -- ---- 157 

CHAPTER IX. 

A Rich Mine Discovered. — Going to Work. 

Prayer-meeting in a bar-room — Shot behind the counter — 

Collared by a woman — The main-top — How God saved 

_ a rum-seller — A remarkable conversion — Good for a 

beginning — Native work — A native converted — The 

priests after me --- i62 

CHAPTER X. 

In the Hotbed of Yice and Crime. 

A dancing-house proprietor in close quarters — How to man- 
age — Attempt to cut his throat — Hunting souls — A ter- 
rible death - 183 



CONTENTS. y 

PAGE 

CHAPTEK XI. 

Times of Special Yisitation^. 

An aged drunkard converted — Organization of a Good Tem- 
plars' Lodge — A Sailors' Home is called into being — An 
ex-rum-seller becomes the administrator of the Sailor's 
Home — Opinions of some ship-masters — A street meet- 
ing in front of a brothel — A bit of advice — How I paid 
a debt — Tobacco experiences — Prayer on a jibboom — 
In the jaws of death — Deciding for Christ on the gang- 
way — Be sure your sin will find you out - - - 196 

CHAPTER XII. 

Im THE FlEEY FUBNACE WITH JeSUS. — UNEXPECTED 

Changes. 

The Gospel for the natives — Shadows of the valley — A 
struggle for light — My German Methodist Church — A 
trip „o the old " Yaterland " — One taken, the other left 

— The Methodists in Uruguay and the Argentine Repub- 
lic — Rio Janerio — Thirteen years ago an infidel — Days 

of power in England - - - - _ _ _ 223 

CHAPTER XIII. 

AcEoss THE Channel, Homewaed Bound. — The 
Revival in Geemany. 

Heaviest trials and brightest sunshine — My children, both 
gone to be with Jesus — At the grave of my sainted 
mother — Preaching in Berlin — The power of love — 
A remarkable feature — Confession of sin — A daughter 
brings home her wandering parents — Ashamed of Christ 

— The experience of a dressmaker — Snatched from the ^ 
burning — Satan on development — A remarkable experi- 
ence in fasting 242 

CHAPTER XIV. 

East Peussia. — The Ancient City of the Kings. 

In the right spirit — A Methodist old-fashioned meeting — 
Rioters made friends — The day of Pentecost had fully 
come — The ancient city of the Kings — Kant's city - 270 



10 CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER Xy. 

My Retijen to Chili, Taking with Me a Geeman 
Colony. 

The father of a large family of big " little ones " — Crossing 
the Coast-Cordillera — The new Colony — Settling the 
Colonists in their new homes — The needs of Valparaiso 

— Divine services at the Colonies - - - - 284 

CHAPTER XYI. 

The Futtjke of Chili. — Something about the Land 
AND its People. 

Needed workers — Bishop Taylor's mountain goats - - 296 

CHAPTER XYII. 
My Personal Expeeience. — Wondeeful Salvation. 

Early religious training — The influence of my mother's life 

— My infidelity shaken — trying to get away from God — ' 
A broken-hearted mother — In America — Sick and in 
rags — Light from Calvary's cross — A personal fight 

with Satan — The terribleness of sin — The discovery of — 

a hidden enemy — The repression theory — The disap- 
pointment — A prisoner gives me the ' ' Guide to Holiness " 
— ^A real inwrought holiness ----- - 310 



Six Yeaes with William Tayloe in 
South Ameeica. 



CHAPTER I. 

MY CALL AND WORK AS AK EVANGELIST IN NOETH 
AMERICA. 

The following extracts are from my journal, wMch 
I have kept from the day on which God called me to 
preach the Gospel as an evangelist, and long before I 
knew anything about William Taylor and his work. 

I read there the following : — 

Indianapolis^ May 18, 1878. — On the 18th of May, 
1878, after earnest prayer, I felt called to go and preach 
the Gospel. When the Lord saved me from the jaws 
of death, and converted me so wonderfully in 1874, 1 
promised Him that I would preach the Gospel. To-day 
Jesus came to claim me and take me at my word. I 
immediately left my occupation, and on speaking to a 
dear brother — G. Haines — about it, he told me that 
the Lord had also much impressed him for days, and 
that he had much thought about what the Saviour did 
when he sent out His apostles, " two by two." " I was 
waiting for some more definite instructions from the 

11 



12 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

Lord," said Bro. H., " when you just stepped in, and I 
believe the Lord would have us start out together." 

We rejoiced to be thus confirmed concerning the 
will of God, and, kneeling in prayer, we consecrated 
ourselves anew to God, waiting to be filled with the 
Holy Spirit for the work that was set before us. Oh, 
that precious hour ! How can we ever forget it ! 
There was no more fear ; if there had been any as to 
the certainty that God had called us to go out, it was 
certainly gone now. It was a moment of great import- 
ance to us. We felt it deeply, and our humiliation was 
complete. If ever we felt our own weakness, it was 
now ; but God, our strength, appeared, — the Lion of 
Judah on our side we felt, and were safe. 

At 12.40 p. M., the same day, we left for Z . In 

the train we talked together, and recounted the deal- 
ings of God with us in the days gone by, and we found 
to our great satisfaction and joy that the Lord did not 
send us on short notice ; but that He had tried and 
sifted us quite thoroughly in preparation for this dis- 
tinct call ; and no wonder that when it came we were 
found ready to say, '' Lord, here am I, send me." 

Pushed Out on a Self-Suppoeting Basis 
Next came up a question which neither one of us had 
thought of until now, and that was our support ; to be 
sure it did not come to us as if it were questionable, 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 13 

although with some good people the devil gets a start 
on them thus far ; but it came in the shape of a joyful 
thought, to be " privileged " to trust the Lord and never 
to ask help ; and next, never to take up a collection. 
It took but a few moments to skip over that ground, 
and we were floating away in the land of perfect trust 
on that line. 

Bro. H., with a beaming face, told me then that he 
had but very little of the (to some people) eye-blinding 
or all-engrossing shining metal. I, being in possession 
of only forty cents, did not say a word, for fear (not 
the ashamed kind), of shouting outright in the cars. 
The Lord gave me plainly to understand, on starting 
out, that He would have me go on the apostolic line of 
self-support, the " faith line," as regards personal sup- 
port, — traveling expenses, clothing, etc. The Lord 
gave me a " blank check " to all His provision stores, 
clothing-houses and hotels. I felt that I need only fill 
out the check and draw on Him for all my necessities. 
When this was pressed into my hand, it seemed tan- 
gible, and tears ran down my cheeks ; and silently I 
pressed the hand of my Bro. H., who sat at my side, 
drinking, as it appeared, at " the fountain deep and 
wide." 

As yet, we did not know how the Lord would lead us 

on our way to the people of Z . Indeed, we could 

not arrive at a definite plan, and had to give it up, be- 



14 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

cause the train had just stopped ; and, leaving the depot, 
as by common consent, we made for the woods, which 
looked so inviting to us, at a little distance before. We 
concluded that there was the place for us to have a lit- 
tle conference with the Lord — the Father, the Son, and 
the Holy Ghost. It was not long before we knew the 
triune God had come " our souls to greet,'' and, there 
in the woods, "glory crowned the mercy-seat." (It 
struck me then that some people don't know that, ac- 
cording to circumstances, the Father moves the mercy- 
seat into the woods.) 

"When we arose, Bro. H. had his instruction. Look- 
ing at me he said : " Bro. Krauser, I remember having 
heard the name of the preacher in charge in this place, 
and if this is Bro. C, with whom I traveled fifteen 
years ago on the same circuit, we shall have no trouble 
to get a place for our meetings, and get the people, too." 

We went straight to the house of the preacher, hav- 
ing inquired of some one in the street as to its location ; 
but it was the house of the local preacher, who told us 
he thought it the wrong season of the year for pro- 
tracted meetings. We told him that we had received 
marching orders, and that we did not believe the Lord 
had made such a mistake as to send us in the wrong 
season of the year; but knowing the history of "re- 
vivals in their season," on the whole we did not mind 
what our good brother had to say, but begged him 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 15 

kindly, to conduct us to the house of Bro. C, which 
the man did. We soon found Bro. C.'s, the door opened, 
and the recognition of my partner and Bro. C. was mu- 
tual. They were, indeed, old acquaintances. The 
house was at once put in shape to keep us for a few 
days, and arrangements made for what was to be the 
first meeting on our evangelistic tour, and of course we 
were hopefully looking forward and upward to God to 
put His seal upon this, our first effort to save souls. 

Bro. C. had made us aware of the sad fact that it 
was a " stronghold of infidelity," so Bro. H. announced 
a "temperance meeting" for to-morrow (Saturday) 
night. The rest of the day we spent in prayer and 
reading the Scriptures. 

Saturday evening^ May 19. — My heart is lifted up to 
God. My soul rejoiceth in God my Saviour for this 
night's work. Bro. H. got off his temperance speech. 
The place was crowded, and the moment seemed to 
have come to preach the Gospel before closing the meet- 
ing. The Lord blessed me in delivering my message, 
and strong conviction was produced, as could be noticed 
if one but for a moment looked over that congregation. 
At the close I gave out meetings for the following day, 
which was Sunday. Three meetings were to be held — 
at 10.30 A. M., 2. 30 p. m. (Gospel temperance meeting), 
and 7.30 p. M., (preaching). After the meeting many 



16 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

came to me, and with tears, confessed how they had 
backslidden, and some said that they would like to be 
converted to God. The spirit of the meeting seemed 
to have taken them unawares, — they appeared to be 
confounded and confessed that to-night they were not 
ready. Poor souls ! They then expressed a wish that 
we would remain, and that the Lord in mercy might 
lead them to repentance unto life. God grant it. 
Amen. 

Sunday^ 20th (^evening'), — What a glorious day I 
Early in the morning we retired to the woods, and there 
talked with God until it was time to open the. church. 
I had selected for my text the words in Ex. xii. 13. 
How the beams from Calvary's cross laid open before 
me the unspeakable wisdom of God, as revealed to me 
in the " great book " ! A storm was brewing, and every- 
body seemed to feel that soon a " break " must take 
place, and we were looking forward in faith and hope. 
No altar work had yet been introduced; but it was 
soon to come. 

The afternoon meeting was one of great power. Bro. 
H. preached a Gospel temperance sermon. Oh, how the 
power of darkness strove against light ! I remarked to 
Bro. C. that I had never before felt such an opposing 
power prevail in the very atmosphere. It seemed he 
had felt it, too. But one soul found rest after a hard 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 17 

struggle for freedom. A drunkard came and yielded 
himself up, and also signed the pledge. The poor wife, 
who was sitting in the church, could not contain herself 
longer ; she arose, and coming up to the altar, fell about 
the neck of her husband and both wept tears of joy. 
It was a heart-melting time, and God was using this 
to melt the hearts of some who had become hardened. 

In the evening service, two stood up for prayers. 
Step by step, the ground had to be taken ; indeed, the 
stronghold of infidelity had to be assailed. 

On Monday, one sister came forward to the altar, and 
arose, praising the Lord for salvation found. Tuesday 
morning we retired again to the woods, and the Lord 
gave us a precious baptism of power, and as we had an- 
nounced meetings to be held 'during tliis entire week, 
and three meetings a day, we opened to-day at 10 A. m., 
and preached on Christian perfection. 

It was evident what was wrong in that church, and 
to-day it should not only be revealed, but the hurt was 
to be healed. While I preached to the members of the 
church, Bro. H. went into one corner of the church and 
there hid liimself with God, and stayed during the en- 
tire service, and only came when the altar was crowded 
with seekers, to work among them. Among the seekers 
ofter holiness, was the pastor of that church and his 
wife. The dear brother had been preaching for tliirty 



18 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

years, but arose and confessed, that sucli manifestations 
lie had never beheld before ; and with holy joy, and the 
imprint of a heavenly, perfect peace, beaming from his 
face, both he and his wife confessed to have obtained 
the blessing of a pure heart. 

Ten days we stayed in that town, and the blessings 
that now followed may easily be imagined. Several 
were freed from the power of sin — of unbelief — and 
the tower of the infidel was undermined ; and the best 
of all, our Bro. C. was now prepared to go on with his 
work, and we hope liis church to-day is flourishing. 

Now, all this time we had not been asked, " Who sup- 
ports you? " but as they had found out who sent us, we 
had no doubt but that the same would give us the 
money we needed to continue our journey. We also 
had not said a word to anybody on that subject, — nor 
did we take up any collections. We had told Bro. C. 

that the next town, about five miles distant — W. 

— we had chosen for our field of operation. He begged 
us to desist from it, and change our plan, and gave as 
his reason for advising us thus, that the poor brother 
who had been in charge of the church there up to only 
a few weeks ago, and who once enjoyed the grace of 
God, had sadly fallen, and the whole church was on the 
point of dissolving membership; and that the few re- 
maining faithful ones w^ere completely discouraged. 
We were quiet — not saying a word ; but before start- 



IN SOUTH AMEHICA. 19 

ing for the railway station we once more made for our 
favoiite spot in the woods, where the Saviour so often 
had met and communed with us, and told liim all about 

W- . The more we prayed, the more we became 

certain of going to that place. It had become evident 
to us that the poor people in W had been quite for- 
saken, and in their extreme distress had not had the 
comfort of Christian counsel. However, God remem- 
bered His church in W , ioi He had yet a few 

there, who had not bowed their knees to Baal. 

A Chuech IK Geeat Distress. 

We hurried back to Bro. C. and told liim we had or- 
ders to proceed at once to W . He bade us God- 
speed, and we departed. I took my very small hand- 
satchel, and felt in my pocket for the forty cents ; — 
just ten cents lacking to pay a five-mile fare. I felt I 
could not ask Bro. H. to help me out ; and, besides, I 
knew he had but enough for himself ; and yet I knew I 
was to take that train that was to come around the bend 
in about ten minutes. 

While Bro. G. was talldng with some one on the 
street, I hurried on to the depot, deposited my satchel 
with the ticket-agent, telling liim that I would be back 
in a few minutes, and opening the back door, I looked 
for a place to pray once more to God ; but finding an 
open space, I remained standing in the open door, and 



20 SIX YEAES WtTH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

crossing my hands beliind me, I bowed my head in 
prayer to Him who had told me that He wonld supply 
all my needs. I filled then and there a blank check, 
and presented it at His bank. I drew on it for only ten 
cents ; it was all I needed at the time. Suddenly I felt 
some one taking hold of my hands behind me ; and, 
making an effort to turn, I beheld Bro. C, the preacher 

of Z , and at the same time I felt him pressing 

something hard into my hands. With tears in my eyes 
I opened the hand, and in it was a bright new fifty-cent 
piece of silver, — to pay my fare, the brother said — and 
" I felt you needed something, and so I ran down before 
the train came to give it to you — and — there it. comes 
now ; run and get your ticket ! " I had no time to say 
a word — I only ran and got my ticket. Bro. H. got 
his just then, too. We got into the car, and with a 
hasty " good-by " and " God bless you, " the train started 
off again. Tliis whole transaction took place in just 
the shortest possible time, so that not until the train 
had started did I begin to draw breath and look over 
the situation. It was a most pleasant one to be in, 
to be sure; and, praise the Lord, I could say, with 
all my heart, God had again sent us. Amen ! I had 
asked for ten cents, but the Lord sweetly humbled me 
by sending me fifty. 

In the cars I opened my satchel to arrange some 
things, and found that Sister C. had put in one new 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 21 

shirt and some other little things, she thought T needed. 
The Lord knew I had but two shirts, and one of these 
I wore at the time. Now, I thought, it is so sweet, and 
such a wonderful privilege thus to trust Jesus. We 
sang, " The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." 
No, not any good thing will He withhold from them that 
trust Him ; how much more, then, shall He not withhold 
the things we need. 

Saturday it was when we arrived in W . We 

called at once on Bro. L, who was one of the officials. 
Found him much discouraged, indeed, and, like a drown- 
ing man, he took hold of this opportunity of reviving 
the church. Lideed, he was a faithful officer. We 
again retired to the solitude of a pine-tree forest, close 
at hand, and made our plans before the Lord, and His 
blessing attended us. 

That same evening we opened the church to the peo- 
ple, and at the close of the meeting we announced three 
meetings for the morrow — Sabbath. A few trembling 
brothers and sisters had dared to come out. Also a few 
from the Lutheran church, who, however, manifested a 
considerable amount of earnest enmity and jealousy; 
for they, being afraid that the church might build up, 
threatened to burn the building if we continued preach- 
ing. We did not fear, but met again for service at 
10.30 A. M. on Sunday. 

Bro. Haines preached to a filled house. Thank 



22 SIX YEAKS AYITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

God, the people came out to liear, altliough sneered at 
by many standing outside, and crowding the door, ^\^ho 
dared not come in. The season was one of great power. 
After preaching, Bro* H. asked me to exhort the people 
to come to the altar and seek the Lord ; and the disheart 
ened, or backslidden, to come and meet with us in ear- 
nest prayer. The Lord blessed this invitation, and sev- 
enteen jyersons came forward 1 all seeking the Saviour. 
Bro. H. had preached from Rev. xxii. 14, and it seemed 
the tree of life was spreading its branches to receive the 
church back under its protecting shadow. What a 
meeting ! It is true, bitter tears of repentance flowed 
then, but it was a repentance not to be repented of, and 
two precious souls found the Lord, and soon were 
praising Him aloud for His goodness and mercy. An- 
other struggled hard, and truly in pity the Lord must 
have looked down upon that poor woman, for she was a 
great sinner, and slie would not let go the Lord until 
He had blessed her. Surely such determination will 
meet with a determined Saviour. 

In the afternoon I preached from Isaiah ix. : " The 
Wonderful." Three persons again came forward, and 
gave themselves to Jesus. 

The town was stirred thoroughly by this time. The 
Lord evidently meant business, and would build up 
that church in spite of Satan and his agents. 

Bro. Haines preached in the evening on " Eternal 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 23 

Life," and I followed with a few words from Exodus : 
" Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Two 
persons came to the altar for prayers, and while they 
were praying for deliverance, a sister stood up in the 
congregation and declared that now, this moment, Jesus 
saved her from her sins. 

Holiness PkExIching. 

This meeting was one of the most powerful that we 
have had in this church. Tongues failed to express it 
during the meeting. Holiness as a definite blessing 
subsequent to conversion was now preached, and this 
seemed to be striking the keynote and lifting the dear 
people up and out of the misery of a half-consecrated 
life. The reason why the Lord had permitted them to 
be so sadly tried during the past, and why it seemed as 
though all hope was cut off, was made clear to all. The 
testimony of a blood-washed throng of seven precious 
souls rang up to heaven in one great hallelujah to God. 
The very foundation of the church in which we were 
pleading with God for never-dying souls, seemed to 
quiver and tremble because of power flooding the hearts 
of those precious brethren. Most had left, on that day, 
their work out in the field, wanting only to settle the 
question with the " Mighty to save." Oh, that day ! a 
day never to be forgotten in the annals of that church. 
Here are some of their testimonies ; — 



24 SIX yp:aks with willtam taylor 

Sister L. : Tlie blessed Jesus saves me now, this 
moment. Yes, He doth give me a clean heart ; I know 
it now. Amen. 

Sister R., an aged sister : I have served God accord- 
ing to the best of my knowledge ; but oh, I never saw 
in all these years such wonderful light as at present. I 
always knew and felt there was something better for me 
than what I had ; but I never found just how to attain 
to such an experience as I possess now. Thanks be to 
God, to-day I see it plain, and now Jesus has released 
me from sin, and all fear is gone, and I know He saves 
me fully. Oh, what sweet peace has come to my soul ! 
Now it is all glory, glory, glory ! (This sister, Avhile 
pleading at the altar with her Saviour, seemed to have 
left the body for a time ; then suddenly her face began 
to shine, as it were above the brightness of the sun. 
Just then I looked at her face, and I seemed unable to 
take my eyes off. I never saw such a glory upon a 
child of God before. She then clapped her hands and 
said softly, " Oh, Jesus, Jesus, blessed Jesus ! " Oh, how 
]ny soul magnified the Lord to be permitted to see the 
works of the Lord, who saved also me ; whose precious 
blood had also reached my own heart, and proved suffi- 
cient even in my case. I wept and laughed in turns be- 
cause of joy.) 

Next a Lutheran sister — Sister E. — got up and said : 
I have served God, or have been trying to serve Him, for 



IN SOUTH AMEKICA. Zl^ 

many yejirs ; but ever since my conversion I have been 
troubled with an unsacrificing spirit. It seemed a cross 
to testify for Christ. Soon I discovered other besetting 
sins. But now God has delivered me, and also cut loose 
my tongue. Now I shall praise God as long as I live, 
for this is neiv life I have received. Now, pray for my 
children, that they also may be saved. 

Bjro. K. : I have known God many years. God con- 
verted me and pardoned the sins of my past life; 
and I have enjoyed many seasons of rich blessing. To- 
day, dear brethren, I have got something I have never 
had before — a clean heart. Jesus sets me entirely free. 
Oh, praise God for a complete deliverance from all sin ! 
I am now entirely His property. 

Bko. S. : God has kept me through all the storms of 
the last war, and then it was that I promised the Lord 
that I would serve Him if I should be spared long 
enough. Long afterwards, not far from the spot where 
I now stand, I gave my heart to Jesus. I served Him 
the best I knew how ; l)ut when walking behind the 
plow in the field, if the horses would not go just right, 
I would often "fly off." Many times I was on the 
mountain-top, and next doAvn again in the valley. I 
felt it to be a constant struggle, that seemed to be not 
of the right kind ; and then, when walkmg behind that 
plow, it would strike some hidden root, which caused 
the horses to be jerked back ; and while trying to clear 



26 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE 

the plow the poor animals would step over the traces. 
Before getting them back I would " fly off " and get an- 
gry with the old stump, whip the horses, and then hide 
behind some tree in shame, and in tears ask God to for- 
give me. There was something wrong. I see it to-day. 
I never had heard of this doctrine before, — this per- 
fect love — heart purity ; although I longed for some- 
thing hke it ; but to-day this talk just fitted me. I saw 
the light, and a clean heart I must have ; and thanks be 
to God, Jesus cleanses me now from all sin, — takes 
away everything contrary to Himself. I can now fully 
trust Him to keep me from falling. (This brother 
wrote afterwards to the Harvester that the Lord had 
also saved him from the filthy use of tobacco.) 

Bro. U. : I remember with much pain how I used to 
hide from my class-leader or preacher, although attend- 
ing all the meetings, simply for the reason that I feared 
to stand up and testify. Now, can we call that enjoying 
religion ? I tell you it was a misery to me to live thus ; 
but to-day I thank God, He has given me a clean heart ; 
He takes away from me now this slavish, man-fearing 
spirit. I trust Him fully. Thank God ! 

Tuesday, — The fire is still burning. Sister H. went 
out to buy some groceries, but could not pass the church, 
but " just came in for a little while." The Lord brought 
her to seek Hun, receive Him, and confess Him. The 



IJT SOUTH AMERICA. 27 

groceries got liome somewhat late, but the precious soul 
got saved* just in time. Another Lutheran sister gave 
lier heart to Jesus. 

The meeting was closed, and when we reached our 
lodging, we heard a great noise in doors. Opening the 
dcor, I saw a good woman laughing and weeping for 
joy, because she had just found Jesus, at home, while 
we were at church. " 

In the evening we gave place to a temperance society 
which had existed some time in the place. However, I 
was invited to attend. The president was a professed 
unbeliever, and there were many attending that meet- 
ing who were not in the habit of attending religious 
meetings. That evening the Lord had something in 
store for them all. The sister whom the Lord had con- 
verted at her house, this afternoon, came to the temper- 
ance meeting ; and finding certain of her friends there, 
she was unable to be quiet. She went up to them, when 
they w^ere seated, and, shouting and praising God with 
a loud voice, she told before the multitude what God 
had done for her. She was a young lady of seventeen. 
The temperance meeting was formally closed, and it 
was turned into a Holy Ghost meeting. Others began 
to praise the Lord with a loud voice, and at last I could 
not keep from shouting outright. It seemed that the 
Spirit of God had gotten hold of us, and if we had re- 
frained from praising God, the very stones would imme- 



28 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

diately have cried out. All prayed and praised tlie 
wonderful Jesus, and all praj^ed, " God save the people." 
Thus closed the temperance meeting. 

Wednesday morning, at 10 A. M., we met again at 
the church, and the Lord graciously poured out His 
Spirit upon those assembled, and six persons came for- 
ward for prayer. Among those at the altar were two 
little girls of twelve years. In speaking to them, while 
kneeling, I was struck at hearing them clearly defining 
their condition. They knew what they wanted. I felt 
sure the Lord would answer their prayer. Soon the 
power of God was manifested. One of them arose, 
praising Jesus for salvation just found, and walked 
about shaking hands with all present, and shouting 
aloud. The first time I ever heard a person of her age 
shout. It did me much good. We saw her then leave 
the church in haste, and wliile the others were yet speak- 
ing, giving their testimonies, our little sister returned, 
leading some one by the hand, and said : " This is my 
older sister. I ran home and told her what the Lord 
had done for me, and that I wanted her to come and 
seek the Lord at once." Having thus spoken, they both 
knelt down to i^ray. The congregation, much affected 
by what they had witnessed, also knelt, and soon the 
other sister was made to rejoice in Christ her Saviour. 
A few days before both the parents of those girls were 
converted to God. We see here a clear fulfilment of 



IN SOUTH A3IEEICA. 29 

(lie word, " The promise is to you and your children." 
Dear parents, lead the way, and your children will fol- 
low, if your conversion is genuine. 

One brother professed conversion, while his wife, 
kneeling beside him, praised God for a clean heart. 
But tills poor brother, before we left W., had gone back 
to the world — and why ? He had lost a cow, and be- 
gan to grumble, and lost his temper. His wife told me 
his farm and cattle had always been the man's besetting 
sin. Shall riches satisfj^ the soul? Oh that man 
might see w^hat it profiteth to " gain the whole world 
and lose his own soul " ! An old cow had tripped liim. 
Tlie day will come when some who saw the wonderful 
work of God in this place, and wilfully neglected to 
improve the time of this special visitation of divine 
grace, would give gladly all they possess in this world 
to get a berth, however small, in the old Noah's ark, 
which they now would not buy even for kindling wood 
if offered at auction. Some people talk about Judas. 
Why, some sell their master for a drink, or for the mere 
sake of appearances, or for oxen and sheep and fashion. 

One of the young ladies at the altar found it hard to 
give up fashion. Oh, how bewitching a thing it must 
be, if, in tiying to take hold of Christ, this thing tor- 
ments them so ! 

We continued tliis meeting up to the follomng Sab- 
bath, and appointed a love-feast for Monday, when we 



30 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAIVI TAYLOR 

would take leave of the people and bid tliem farewell. 
At every meeting some were saved, and when we closed 
on Sunday evening, there were forty-three who had 
freely given their hearts to Jesus. By this time we had 
learned to love each other so, that it seemed hard to 
think of parting. We met once more, and for the last 
time, on Monday morning ; and then the story of love 
— the love of Jesus — was told again. Oh, that pre- 
cious hour ! Surely the angels looked down upon that 
company and listened in amazement to the wonderful 
testimonies that were given in honor of the name of 
Jesus and His power to save from sin. The shouts of 
victory went up to heaven from every heart. . While 
the people gathered around the altar, I endeavored to 
read the ninety-first Psalm. 

We left them without a preacher to continue the 
work thus begun, but the Great Shepherd of the sheep 
stood forth in the words just being read, and promised 
to shelter His little flock and hide them under His pro- 
tecting wings ; and while tears flowed freely — tears of 
holy joy — we bowed once more at the throne of God, 
and pledged ourselves anew to Him, who had so gra- 
ciously condescended to bless us, and had washed us in 
His most precious blood from all our sins. Some who 
had threatened to stop our work were standing near the 
door, and looked on and saw how Christians loved each 
other, and saw how Clnistians parted; and while the 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 31 

ninety-first Psalm was being read, some of them came 
lip a little closer and were seen Aveeping. I do not be- 
lieve the work stopped there. Eternity will reveal the 
result of that last meeting. Before closing the meeting 
we organized a holiness band, and a meeting for the 
promotion of Christian experience in holiness was ap- 
pointed to be held each week in the church, and Bro. 
S. was elected leader. We now sang once more, " Praise 
God from whom all blessings flow," and at the same 
time, I, with Bro. Haines, shook hands with all that 
were in the house. 

We had taken up no collections, nor was there a word 
spoken about finances during our stay among the peo- 
ple, either in private or in public ; but as we passed cut 
of the church, several brethren and sisters pressed some- 
thing hard into our hands ; and looking at their faces 
satisfied us that " they gave cheerfully." 

HoTV THE Lop.D Sends the Supplies. 

I went to my lodging to prepare for departure. The 

train was to leave for T in two hours. While thus 

engaged I saw Bro. K. coming toward the house in 
great haste. I went out to meet him, and he, placing a 
five-dollar bill in my hand, said : " Brother, I had started 
for home on my wagon ; but when I got outside of the 
town, my good wife asked me whether I had given you 
some money, ' and I am sure he needs it,' she added. I 



32 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

quickly jumped off the wagon, and here I am, to give 
this." 

The time had come to go to the station to meet the 
train. On my way there I met several who had waited 
to give me some money, with some pleasant words 
each. One little girl came and said: "Bro. K., I have 
saved thirty cents to buy you one of Sankey's hymn- 
books, and here it is. I have j)ut my name inside." I 
could n't thank her in words, but I took her little hand 
in mine and wept. Was it not one of the Lord's little 
lambs ! Another little girl was at the station waiting 
to give fifty cents. We met many there who had come 
out to take a last look at Bro. H. and myself. 

Bidding them farewell, the train started off. M}^ 
satchel looked a little more respectable now, as I 
thought. Some sister had put in a new shirt, some 
socks, and handkerchiefs. To be sure I needed such 
things, and that is why the Lord provided them for me. 
Bro. H. and I — once more alone — talked over some of 
the past experiences, and especially about an experience 
I had in seeing God's protecting hand; when, about 
the second evening after commencing our work at 
W , I had been told that a crowd of young men in- 
tended to collect in front of the church to " give me a 
sound thrashing." After the close of the meeting, on 
my leaving the church, I had quite forgotten about the 
matter. The congregation had dispersed, Bro. LT. had 



IIT SOUTH AMERICA. 83 

gone, and I alone remaining behind, as I had intended 
to have a word with the sexton. While this man was 
putting out the lights I talked witli him. When the 
last light was extinguished I stepped outside. My eyes 
met the faces of over a dozen young men, and in a mo- 
ment I knew what they were about, — but I took the 
first one by the hand, and so the second, third, and so on, 
until I had shaken hands with them all, with a pleasant 
word for each, then a hearty " God bless you all " and a 
" good night ! " I left them, as I noticed, quite con- 
founded. After reaching the corner of the next street, 
I could not help turning round to have a look at them, 
when I saw that each had taken a separate road to reach 
their homes. They felt ashamed of eadh other. The 
Lord had put them to shame. Walking through the 
midst of them, I went my way, unharmed. This, and 
many other blessings we had, in which we could plainly 
trace the guiding and protecting hand of the Almighty 
God, We laid the tropliies down at Jesus' feet, (In 
1882, while laboring in Chili, South America, I received 
the Harvester, To my great joy I read there that the 

work at W was still going on, and that they had a 

good preacher. In answer to their prayers, one had 
been sent soon after VvC left.) 

In T we found the home of Bro, R., a Baptist 

brother, who, after asking us to stop at his house, and 
offering the church of which he was the pastor, gave 
us his experience in the following words ; — 



34 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

" I received the blessing of a clean heart two years 
ago, and ever since I have been filled with God. I 
preach holiness to my people, for I cannot keep from 
preaching it, and, the best of all, living it. Now, the 
day when I received this great blessing of a clean heart, 
while praising God I fell to the earth and was quite 
overshadowed with a flood of glory that filled my heart 
and threatened to overwhelm me. I thought I was ly- 
ing beneath a large vessel, hlled with the new Avine of the 
Gospel, and with my mouth to the faucet, it was turned 
on, and the contents flowing and flowing, until in the 
agony of despair, and in vain trying to stop the flow, 
I managed to cry out, ' Lord, stop, or enlarge my capac- 
ity ! ' I awoke* and found that the Lord indeed enlarged 
my capacity daily, and I never say any more, * Lord, 
stop ! ' I believe," the brother said, in closing, " God 
can kill us with love." 

We opened the church next day for the people, and 
although there seemed much prejudice against us Meth- 
odists, yet the Lord poured out His Spirit and converted 
several, and sanctified some. We stayed three days in 
the place. One day we were invited to dine at a 
Quaker house. Grand old people they were, and wholly 
consecrated, but a daughter was not. She, however, 
called me aside, and had an earnest talk with me con- 
cerning her eternal welfare. When I had finished she 
said : " Then I must now give myself to God, and I 



IK SOUTH AMERICA. 35 

shall not arise from my knees until I have the definite 
witness of a clean heart." The resnlt may easily be 
gnessed. After this sister had prayed, she looked stead 
f astly to heaven, and if it had not been for the tears that 
flowed down her cheeks, one beholding her might have 
thought a marble statue was there beside the chair. 
Then she arose and praised God for the unspeakable 
gift of " love made perfect." 

The last meeting I held in the M. E. Church, the pre- 
siding elder being present. I preached from the sev- 
enth of Romans. After the sermon, a young man in 
the congregation arose and confessed that long he had 
been seeking the light of liberty, and now he had been 
enabled to see his own heart, and knew what ailed 
him, and that, by the help of God, he now accepted 
Christ as his Purifier. The presiding elder arose and 
said : " I want to warn the members of my church that, 
while the words of the young man who has preached 
sound very good, yet I must tell you that he has much 
perverted the word of God." Then, addressing the 
young man who had just testified, he said : " You in re- 
ality need nothing — you only give way to the enemy 
too much, making you believe you are not what you 
ought to be ; and if you will consider the matter, 3-ou 
will find that already you are in possession of just that 
blessing of which the preacher has s^^oken in his dis- 



36 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

This was a very sad interruption of the meeting. We 
closed in great sorrow, feeling deeply for the poor peo- 
ple and their presiding elder. But how many are there 
in the church of the same type, not growing, as those 
always suppose they do, and hindering the church from 
growing in the grace of knowledge ? 

Next morning by rail to C , where they had had 

a blessed revival a few weeks ago. So we strengthened 
the brethren during four meetings, and had the joy of 
seeing some seeking and finding a clean heart. 



CHAPTER n. 

SrMMEE AND HAKVEST-TIME EEYIYALS. 

Bro. Haines now returned to Indianapolis to remain 
there, while I, having consecrated my entire time and 
life to God, laid my plans to strike out in another direc- 
tion. I felt sorry to leave Bro. H., but it seemed the 
will of God. I accompanied tliis dear brother to his 
home, and before retiring for the night we pledged our- 
selves to pray for each other always. Lodging at a hotel 
for that night, before retiring I bowed in prayer, and 
while praying, I asked the Lord to make me a present 
of a Bagster's Bible, and I said : " You know. Lord, one 
of those with flexible covers, references, and a concord- 
ance." (Up to date I had been the proprietor of a small 
ten-cent Testament. I had used it in all my meetings, 
and it had gotten quite worn. I had seen some of those 
nice Teachers' Bibles, and my heart coveted one, and I 
had told the Lord all about it, and had begged Him for 
the book every night for two months.) I grew quite 
eloquent in my pleading for the book, and said : " Lord, 
now^ give me that Bible." 

A Remark ABLE Answer to Peayee. 
Just then I thought a hand reached down to me, and 

behold I — I saw the precious copy in that hand. Quick 

37 



38 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

as thought I jumped up, and at the same thne I receiv- 
ed an overwhehiimg baptism of the Spirit ; and looking 
toward the corner of the room where that shining hand 
seemed to have disappeared, I clapped my hands, and 
heard myself saying, in a soft whisper, " I got the book ! 
I got the book I " For hours I could not go to bed, but 
walking the room, I had but words of praise. " I got 
the book ! " I got the book ! " I would now and then 
exclaim. 

When I at last closed my eyes in sleep, my last 
words were : " I got the book ! " 

Full of faith and joy I arose the next morning, and I 
pressed the book to my heart in faith. I felt just as 
though I had it in my hand, and I found no time to 
look about me, or to think where it was to come from. 

After dressing, I walked toward the home of Bro. H., 
when I met him in the street on his way to my lodging, 
as he told me. He looked happy, and I thought the 
dear brother had something to tell me, and so it was. 
" Do you know, Bro. K.," he began, " I had a singular 
experience last night. A man who owed me seven dol- 
lars, who had borrowed the amount about two years ago, 
stopped in at my house and paid the debt. Just imag- 
ine my surprise I As I had quite given up the money 
as lost, the more pleasant seemed the surprise. I looked 
at the money, and, thanking God for it, I said to myself : 
" I 've been long wanting one of those nice Teachers' 



IN SOUTH AMEBIC A. 39 

Bibles, Tvitli flexible cover, references and concordance ; 
but never could afford to buy one." 

" You have got the money now, and you had better 
get one," I said. (While this brother was thus talking, 
I nearly burst out with n^y experience of last night at 
the hotel, which seemed to correspond exactly with his ; 
but by an effort, I kept silent as yet.) 

He continued : " I thus stood and rejoiced in my 
heart over the fair prospect in view, when suddenly I 
thought of you and your ten-cent Testament, and that 
the new Bible belonged to you. I gave it up, and I 
came to meet you this morning, to take you to the book- 
store and get it at once." 

By this time my eyes had filled with tears of joy, and 
my heart was full to overflowing. I took my Bro. H. 
by the hand, but could not speak for some time, and 
then I told him my experience of last night. 

" Now, let 's hurry and get it," was all Bro. H. could 
say. That is how I got my Bible. 

Same day I left for F . My money would not al- 
low me to go farther. I inquired for the preacher in 
charge of the Methodist Church. Found he was absent, 
but the officials opened the church for me, and I preach- 
ed the same evening to the people, it being Saturday. 
After service I was asked to stay over the Sabbath and 
preach. I promised I would. 

This pleasant Sabbath morning the Lord blessed us 



40 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

greatly at the cliurcli, An invitation was extended to 
the people to come to the altar to seek pardon, and 
purity. The altar was crowded, — not a spot left va- 
cant, — and now all prayed earnestly, according to 
their several needs. The brother preacher just then 
returned from an appointment, and hearing that some- 
one was preaching in his church, came to hear ; and he 
heard and saw what God had wrought. Several pro- 
fessed to have obtained salvation, and there was great 
joy. After the meeting I consulted with the brethren, 
as to the continuance of the meeting ; but the brother 
in charge thought it would be an unwise proceeding, as 
it was in the midst of harvest-time. I told them that I 
could praise God for " harvest-time revivals," — it did 
not matter at what time poor sinners came to God, He 
was always willing to accept them. But I could not 
change their minds. 

Now, there prevails a very unhealthy " idea in the 
churches " about " times and seasons." I don't wish to 
express my mind just now, but I do think, that when 
the Lord begins a work, and we see poor perishing 
souls will cluster around the mercy-seat and seek salva- 
tion, no man should undertake to raise his voice and 
smother the work. How often have opportunities been 
missed in just that way, and how many souls have gone 
down to perdition, only God knows. If some brethren 
have acted according to honest conviction, and walking 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 41 

in tlie light, it is all%vell, as far as they are personally 
concerned ; but I cannot help fearing, by judging from 
the words uttered and the appearance of some of the 
faces, that sometimes preachers and laymen are touched 
in their pride, because some one else was said to start 
the work. And then some do not believe in the doc- 
trine of holiness, as revealed in the Bible and as, given 
in the Methodist Discipline. 

A Blind Man with Good Eyes. 

Monday morning came, and I concluded to leave for 
Union City, Ind., but I had not a cent of money for 
the trip, and so I prayed about it. I was walking up 
and down in front of my lodging (a brother's house 
who had kindly invited me to stop with him), when I 
saw a blind man feeling liis way across the street by 
means of a stick in his hands. I watched the man with 
some interest and sympathy, and saw how nicely he 
managed to find the way, although being without a 
leader. As he passed me, I bade him a " good morn- 
ing." The man stopped, and turning upon me, reached 
out liis hand, and said : " Oh, is that the young man 
who preached to us yesterday? I think I recognize 
your voice." I shook his hand and told him that I was 
that man. " I am just out looking for you, and I am 
glad that I have met you," he continued, " and I Avant 
to give you some money." Smilingly he went on to 



42 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE 

say : " I am only a poor man, and? I liave no money to 
give ; but when I heard this morning that the meetings 
were not to Le continued, I thought of course you 
would soon leave the place, and while offering my 
morning prayers, I was much impressed concerning your 
needs. I did not know how to help you, but I thought 
to see you at once and hear from your lips something 
about your affairs." I could see that this dear brother 
possessed the mind of Christ, and that he had keen 
spiritual eyesight, " so that the Lord could use liim." I 
then told him that I had just been praying to God to 
send me on my way, and to provide. The brother said : 
" I thought as much, and now I will go and get the 
money." He left, but soon returned with money in his 
hands, which he had collected from friends who had at- 
tended the meeting yesterday. On investigating, I 
found I had just enough to take me to Union City, and 
twenty-five cents left. 

Now, why was God pleased to use just this poor and 
blind brother ? It is not always the rich whom the 
Lord can use for such purposes. God, however, is able 
to save the rich and cause them to give of their wealth ; 
and, thanks be to God ! he has those among the rich 
who will let Him use their money. 

The Lord thas proved to me continually that He had 
engaged to provide for my every need in answer to 
simple childlike prayer. The arrangement for my sup- 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 43 

plies was complete wlien I started on the eigliteenth of 
May. Praise and all glory be to God ! 

A WOKDEP.FUL EXPEEIENCE. 

The train left F late and I arrived in Union City at 

11.20 p. M., near midnight. On starting from F 1 had 

not considered the question as to the time of my arrival 
in Union City, and had long forgotten the fact that I 
only possessed twenty-five cents, but I enjoyed perfect 
rest and looked to the source of all" my blessings, and 
He had promised not to fail me, and trustingly I leaned 
on Hun who has made the world. But few people were 
in the train, and soon they disappeared to sight, per- 
haps making their way to a snug little home, or to some 
fnie hotel. Did I envy them ? I, the child of a King ? 
Oh, no, no, no ! a thousand times, no*! With my heart 
filled with inexpressible joy, I looked up to God and 
said ; " Lord, give me a stone for a pillow, the blue 
heavens for a covering, the Holy Spirit standing guard, 
and the world can have the palaces, the ease and com- 
fort ; but keep Thou me from sin." But the Lord had 
a place for me, and in deep humility and in that posi- 
tion, praising and adoring my Master, I desire to note 
down this wonderful experience which I was now gra- 
ciously permitted to pass through. 

I was walking up some street ; I did not know just 
where I was going to ; but thought that somewhere I 



44 SIX YEAES AYITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

might cliscoYer a light, for no lights were to be seen in 
this street, and the windows showed no sign that with hi 
any one was still awake ; only the moon had turned out 
in full. I had walked, say two or three squares, when 
I turned up to the left, and approaching the next cor- 
ner house, I saw a man sitting on some steps that led 
up to the door of the house, in a half slumber. I 
stepped up, and touching him on the shoulder, asked 
him to be kind enough to show me to some lodging- 
house. The poor fellow was frightened out of his wits, 
and I thought that moment that I might have been 
more careful in awakening him. He must have caught 
only my last words, for jumping up, he stumbled up the 
few steps and said " Lodging-house, sir ? Yes, this is 
one," at the same time thundering at the door with his 
fist with all his might. I wished almost I could have 
prevented him, for really I did not know that I wanted 
a hotel, remembering that twenty-five cents was all the 
money I had. Before I was able to say — " Wait a 
moment ! " a voice was heard from witliin, and at the 
same time the light of a candle illuminated the window- 
panes nearest the door. It was too late now, to get out 
of the dilemma. I could but stand still and see the 
salvation of the Lord. A peace that passeth knowledge 
possessed my heart, and I waited. " Who wishes to see 
me ? " I heard a pleasant voice inqun-e, and the next 
moment the door was opened, and, what I expected, to 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 45 

judge from the voice I had heard, a rather pleasant- 
looking man appeared in deepest negligee at the door. 
" Ah, a stranger ! Come in, sir, come. Excuse me, sir, 
for keeping you waiting so long, but I had just dozed 
off when I heard the knock at the door." 

Midnight Grace. 

Now I thought the man manifested considerable grace 
to have so pleasant a face, when called to get up at such 
an hour of the night ; and then to beg to be excused for 
keeping me so long. I should have begged his pardon 
for disturbing him ; but I had no time to say anytliing. 
I only realized a home-like feeling creeping over me, 
and that my fingers were mechanically rummaging the 
waist-coat pocket for the twenty-five cents. " Yes, 
sir, I would like to have a bed for this night, but — but 
— but — but, — well — " in a faltering voice, I brought 
out as much as — "got only twen — " I was cut short by 
the pleasant-looking man, with the words — " Oh, my 
dear sir, don't mention that now ; I will take the light 
and you just follow me." And my twenty-five cents 
slid back into my pocket, and before I knew how, we 
had reached what was to be my bed-room. " Here you 
can sleep, sir," said the good man, and giving me the 
lighted candle, pressed my hand and bade me a good- 
night, and disappeared. For a few moments I stood, 
motionless in the center of the room ; all was so quiet 



46 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

about me ; and. as it were, awaking from a dream, I put 
down my light on tlie waslistand, hid my face in my 
hands, and wept. How long I stood there I cannot tell. 
I only know that my eyes fell on a little stand near the 
bed, and what met my gaze ? I was sure I could not 
be mistaken, — it was a copy of the Bible, in a hotel! 
Oh, that was too much for my poor heart to bear ! I 
pressed the precious book to my heart and sank down 
upon my knees ; but I could not utter a word. I fell 
flat on the floor, and I lay there long — very long — un- 
able to stir or utter a word. I was lost in God — stand- 
ing in the cleft of the Rock — Jesus — and beholding 
the glory of God the Father. I arose and quietly laid 
down to rest. Scarcely had my head touched the soft 
pillow, when sleep closed my eyes. I feel utterly un- 
able to enlarge on the foregoing or to express what I 
felt and my eyes had seen. It passeth understanding. 
" Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His 
benefits ! " O that men would trust God, and believe 
what He says ! 

The following morning I arose much refreshed, and 
then I had a sweet hour of conversation with the Fa- 
ther, and Jesus, my Saviour. First, I thanked God 
that He had led me into the house of a Christian. It 
was now very plain to me that the proprietor must be a 
disciple of Jesus. The Bible on the stand in my room, 
explained much to me. It explained to me the pleasant 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 47 

face of the man, the hearty welcome, and his kindness 
The words of the Saviour then came to me : " Inasmuch 
as you have done this unto one of the least of My dis- 
ciples, you have done it unto Me ; " and I asked the 
Lord to bless the good man of the house. 

My plan was now to see, first the preacher in charge 
of the M. E. Church, for I made it a rule to go to my 
own people first, and if the doors were closed upon me, 
I turn to other denominations, preacliing the same free 
Gospel. Passing through the office, I desired, of course, 
to see the proprietor, and thank him for his kindness, 
but I found him very busily engaged, talking with some 
one. Thinking it wise not to disturb him, I stepped out 
on the street, and bidding him a good morning, said 
that I would be back shortly to have a talk with him. 
The man hastily broke his conversation, and, running to 
stop my progress, he said, " Now, you are not going 
away without taking your breakfast. Just go down to 
the basement. There you find the dining-room; sit 
, down, and orders have already been given." That was 
more than I had anticipated, for I had thought too fast 
that morning, and, stepping out to go at once to the 
parsonage, I had quite forgotten that, since 12 m., the 
previous day, I had taken nothing for the stomach's 
sake. With thankful heart I sat down to the table, and 
also asked God to bless the cheerful giver. How desir- 
ous I was to see that man, and to speak to liim ! The 



48 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

dear Lord, however, prevented me that morning, and, 
simply for the purpose of giving us both a full blessing, 
as I could see, to my great joy, a few hours later. 

My benefactor was still engaged in business, and, as 
I thought, making out some accounts with the same 
person that was with him half an hour before. This 
time I left the house without giving notice, but deter- 
mined to be back as soon as possible. Some person on 
the street pointed out to me the parsonage, and soon I 
was introduced. Bro. M., the pastor, seemed glad that 
I had come, and gave me the church for services, and 
any length of time I desired to continue the meetings. 
Then he gave me the name of a Bro. R., a shoemaker, 
and said it would be well to see him at once, and get 
him to make my arrangements concerning invitations, 
and visiting the people. I started out at once to see 
Bro. R., and had no trouble in finding him. Everybody 
seemed to know him. After a hearty greeting and a 
few words, I thought he might be the sort of man, 
" known and read of all men," for truly he was one of 
the Lord's " peculiar ones." 

Bro. R. had been praying for some one to come and 
give a start, for he was one of those who believe in a re- 
vival to last 365 days in the year. We soon were ready 
to start out to visit another brother who kept a livery- 
stable. When he knew who I was, he said : " Did 'nt 
you stay last night at the hotel of Bro. ? " I did 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 49 

not know, of course, whether it was the hotel of Bro. 
or not ; but I pointed out the place, which I dis- 
covered was close by, a,nd the man said, " Yes, that is 

his place. Well," continued he, " Bro. has seen 

the pastor this morning, and he was told that a young 
man had just left, who asked to have the church, and 
that a series of meetings were to be held soon ; and by 
the description of the person, wliich the pastor gave 

him, and Bro. gave me just ten minutes ago, it 

must be you, sir. And now Bro. is in search for 

you. He would like very much to see you," 

I, of course, understood the whole, and hastened to 
meet this dear brother. We met, and great was our joy. 

Bro. said that he felt almost certain what I was, 

after he had taken me to my room last night, for he had 
seen, while speaking to me, part of my Bible looking 
out of my overcoat pocket, and he recognized it at once 
as " the book." He went on to say that he felt blessed 
all night, and all the morning, and especially, while I 
ate my breakfast, and that he felt as anxious to see me 
as I was to see him, only he could not manage to get 
away from the customer, when he saw me waiting at 
the door in the morning. We both praised the Lord 
for His wonderful blessings. His ways are paths of 
peace and joy. Who would deny it ? Though poor, I 
am rich, and with Habakkuk I rejoicingly say : " Al- 
though the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit 



50 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

be in the vines ; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the 
fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off 
from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls, 
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of 
my salvation." Amen, even so, Lord. 

Doing business for eternity, and investing in it, pays 
the largest and surest interest, — our eternal weight of 
glory — a crown that f adeth not away and a home not 
made with hands, eternal in the heavens, prepared for 
them that love Him and serve Him in true holiness all 
the days of their life. 

Meetings were begun next day, at 7.30 P. M., and the 
altar work at once was taken up, and God set His seal 
to the work, and many were either converted or entirely 
sanctified. There was a great ratthng of dry bones, 
thank God ! and Christ's touch brought life and beauty. 
Some who had no family prayer, and even feared to ask 
the blessing of God when at their meals, were enabled 
to take up their duties. They were members of the 
church for years, " in good standing." 

On the following Sabbath, the pastor himself intend- 
ed to preach to his congregation, and I accepted a call 
to preach at Mount Zion Church, about eight miles 
away. Bro. E,. and I walked to our appointment amid 
rain, the road being very muddy ; but we went our way 
rejoicing. Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, a 
good congregation had assembled in the neat little 
chapel, and three souls were brought to Jesus. 



IN SOUTH AJMEHICA. 51 

During the following week the meetings were contin- 
ued in the Union City M. E. Church, under great bless- 
ings, and for the following Sabbath I had again accepted 
an invitation to preach at Raper Chapel, about twelve 
miles away from Union City. A number of workers 
from the city accompanied me, and together we bowed 
before God, entreatmg Him to give us the fullness of 
Eis Spirit for the work before us ; and as the disciples 
of old were waiting before Lord for the baptism of the 
Holy Ghost, so did we, and experienced the same gra- 
cious filling. However, as to the subject for considera- 
tion in the service, I was not permitted to see my way 
clear until just before reaching the house of meeting. 

Ax ExPERiExcE IX Selecting a Text. 

My mind had been much exercised for several hours, 
and I could obtain no light whatever. I prayed to God 
with my open Bible before me, but to no effect, but with 
the exception that at last I arose with quiet peace in my 
soul, and confidence toward the Saviour, and it was 
])lain that, for once at least, the Lord would give me the 
word just in time. Walking to the chapel with several 
of the brethren, not a word was spoken, but just as we 
were coming up to it, one of the party dropped a word 
concerning the Lord Jesus, when, clapping my hands, I 
could not help praising God aloud, and cried : " I have it 
now : It is finished, it is finished " ! And this was my 



52 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

text for that clay. Right from the beginning there was 
a remarkable feeling among the people and an almost 
anxious looking forward for a great baptism of the 
Spirit, — and it did come, bursting like a mighty flood 
upon the whole congregation. I hardly said the last 
word, when there was a rush for the altar made by those 
stricken by the word, without waiting for an invitation to 
come forward. Tlie Spirit of God was at work. Quick- 
er than I take down my notes, thirteen precious souls 
had fallen prostrate at the feet of Jesus, and many, in 
tears, were pleading with their God, for Christ's sake to 
pardon their sins, while others prayed for sanctification 
by faith, and again others, as they touched with their 
knees the floor, with bright and shining faces, while yet 
at the same time tears sparkled in their eyes, praised 
God at once for the great blessing of cleansing from all 
indwelling sin, that they just now experienced for them- 
selves. 

While I was busily engaged in putting my workers 
into position, here and there, to assist some struggling 
souls, I beheld, to my great joy, that all over the church, 
and in their seats, saints and sinners were on their 
knees, and one universal cry arose from their lips to 
heaven : " Lord, save ! Lord, save ! " It was wonder- 
ful ; we had a Pentecostal blessing. There was work 
to do for the brethren and sisters who had come with 
me from the city, and, thanks be to God ! most of them 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 53 

had experienced that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from 
all sin, and at this altar were enabled to do efficient ser- 
vice for the Master, in pointing out to the seekers of 
heart purity the way to Jesus. It was a grand sight to 
see those who had followed their Master faithfully, and 
according to the light they possessed, through the re- 
generation. How sweetly these dear souls entered " the 
yalley of blessmgs." "With some there was but little 
of confession, and but little struggle, — they seemed to 
drink in the truth ; and, looking up to heaven, they 
simply received Jesus, and said "• Lord, now I am wholly 
Thine." Others, again, found that sin had been in- 
dulged, and that forgiveness must first be sought and 
obtained, and then passed right on to holiness entire. 
The workers understood their work, and did thorough 
altar service, which is of so much importance, as many 
seek the entire sanctification of their hearts, while in 
reality they need to be reclaimed from a half backslid- 
den state ; or some seek to be reclaimed, while they 
never before have possessed the hnoivledge of sins for- 
given. Only those " filled with all the fulness of God," 
are really fit to do altar or inquiry-room work. How 
to work with seekers was never before made so plain to 
me, nor did I ever before feel such a tremendous weight 
of responsibility resting on me ; but, thanks be to God ! 
seeing the light, I was enabled to shift its weight en 
the Master, and truly the result could be left with the 



54 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

Mighty to save. This will be a day to be remembered 
in the history of Kaper Chapel. 

The work did not close with that Sabbath service, 
but the holy fire was kindling hearts all over that sec- 
tion of the country round about Union City. Souls 
were inquiring the way everywhere, and desired meet- 
ings in their respective churches. 

On returning to the city, I opened meetings at the U. 
B. church. Pastor A. at first opposed the doctrine of 
holiness and did so for four or five days, rising at the 
close of each meeting and saying something to contra 
diet certain things. But on Saturday the Lord gave 
me a precious text — "Go up and possess the land." 
God's Holy Spnit was present, and the long-looked-for 
breaks in the ice seemed to be not far off, and at the 
close of the sermon the " cracking " could be heard, 
caused by the pastor of the church himself. He arose 
and said that he was to preach on the morrow (Sunday) 
at an outside appointment, and, strange to say, he had 
chosen the same text, and prepared his sermon ; but, he 
continued, if the interpretation that I had given to the 
text was correct, then his entire sermon would be spoiled 
for him ; and then he went on to defend his sermon, 
falling in to the " common error," that the wilderness 
presented the life of God's people on earth, and 
" Canaan," heaven ; and he intended to encourage his 
flock to go on as they had hitherto, only, not to be 



IN SOUTH AMEPvICA. 55 

discouraged, but wait till the Master calls them home 
to enter the valley of blessings so sweet. Sweet, in- 
deed, to listen to, especially to a good speaker, and he 
would succeed in getting his congregation to shed tears ; 
but, as the preacher disconnects the text from its con- 
nectional Scriptural meaning, so thus he leaves his peo- 
ple without the root of the matter, and if by feeling, 
simply, the poor souls must retain or rather manufac- 
ture courage, they will continue to be discouraged, and 
in the unequal fight with a wilderness experience, fall 
in the wilderness, their bones bleaching in the sun. 
Such have just enough religion to make them miserable. 
Now, up to date, not a soul had come to Jesus. It 
seemed that the Lord would now begin with the one 
who stood in the way of the sinner and the thirsting 
believer ; hence, with great joy the angels heard the half 
confession. But still the cloud hung heavily above us. 
It caused us to move closer up to the Redeemer, and 
faith wa« strengthened. Prayer was soon to be an- 
swered, for our dear brother, the pastor. This was the 
Saturday morning meeting. 

How THE LoED Slew a Goliath. 

In the afternoon meeting the blessing came, but not 
w^ithout one more sore trial for the Lord's people. After 
1 had delivered my message, Bro. A. wished to speak. 
We were anxiously waiting to hear, and, holdmg our 



56 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAJVI TAYLOR 

breath, we all listened. But it was a sad beginning. 
The poor brother told the people to leave the chnrch, 
and not come back to hear me any more, as I led the 
people astray. These were moments of great trial, and 
if the Lord had not been the General, His children 

• should have been defeated that moment. Turning 
about while the brother was yet speaking, I said with a 
loud voice to the workers : " Brethren, pray, and have 
faith." Hardly had these words been uttered when the 
pastor turned upon us, and who would imagine what 
followed now ? I arose, and being filled with the Spirit, 
threw myself on his neck, and weeping bitterly, I cried : 
" Bro. A., the time has come when God shall open thine 
eyes and thon shalt see the light." The whole congre- 
gation, and all the brethren, were in tears. The salva- 
tion of God appeared at that moment, and Bro. A., just 
as though struck by lightning, fell down at Jesus' feet, 
and solemnly prayed God to help him ^ — to open his 
eyes ; and give him a clean heart — a heart from sin set 
free — "a heart in every part renewed — a copy. Lord, 
of Thine." The lips that had just pronounced the ana- 
thema, now were pouring forth praise and blessings 

' upon Him who had this moment done the work. All 
the workers on their knees about our dear brother, rose 
up, and while remaining in this position, we praised 
God with tears in our eyes, and our hearts overflowing 
for joy ; and embracing each other, we arose, greet- 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 67 

ing each witli a holy kiss. Now, all this occurred in 
the sight of all the people, Some had left their seats, 
but remained at the door to look on and behold the 
sight. It was heaven on earth, and " God had come our 
souls to greet, and glory crowned the mercy-seat." 

A man who had much resisted God, had said to Bro. 
A., when he took the platform to speak, after I had 
closed : " That's right, Bro. A., now give it to him." 
He who had thus spoken, ran and left the church when 
the sudden change took place. So, many flee from God 
at a time when God would save them, and while they 
stand and watch and see others actually entering the 
pearly gates, they turn their backs on the scene, and 
enter the gates of hell. Is it possible ! Oh, poor de- 
luded souls ! bewitched by the devil ! shake off the 
viper that has fastened upon thy heart, shake it off into 
the fire of God's sin-consuming love, and let Him set 
you free from certain death. 

From that day the ice melted away, and a soft breeze 
from " over the river " began to refresh the faltering 
ones. The Lion of Judah came to loosen the bands of 
iniquity, and set the daughter of Zion free, and a mighty 
shout rose up to heaven from the hearts of scores who 
were gloriously saved from sin, during the meetings 
that now followed. When the people on the following 
day, heard Bro. A.'s message from his own lips, a heart- 
felt " Amen ! " rose up to God. 



58 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

The following Sabbath the Lord sent us to Rose Hill 
and was pleased to save five precious souls at our first 
meeting, and in course of a few days the Lord had call- 
ed about forty souls, and the dead heard the voice of 
the Son of God, and His children were in healthy con- 
dition to remove the stones, and the called came forth ; 
yea, and parents were enabled to take off the " grave- 
clothes " that they had put on their children, and there 
was great joy all over the country. So many invitations 
came that we had to shape our movements, and begin 
upon a regular plan of battle. Meetings were arranged 
for in many different parts of the country, and the fire 
was burning everywhere round about us. That was now 
in July. 

Filling Out a NujMber of Blakk Checks. 

The weather had become quite warm, but I wore 
still the same suit of clothes that I wore on first setting 
out in the work, and it was made for winter. Doing 
considerable "knee work," my pantaloons were worn 
out at the knees, and quite thin thereabouts. Return- 
ing from Rose Hill I discovered a small rent across the 
knees, and also, that, on the whole, tilings in general 
would soon part company. It was the only suit of 
clothes that were in my possession, and until now had 
been sufficient. Seeing how matters stood, I made 
haste through some back streets, till I reached my lodg- 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 59 

ings, which, was at the house of Bro. R., and quicklj 
running up stairs, I bowed my knees once more before 
the Heavenly Father, and told him all about my panta- 
loons, and also told him to behold the plight I was in ; 
and I filled a blank check, for a whole suit of clothes. 
When I arose I knew the Lord had heard me, and 
hastened down stairs. Bro. R. said to me, stepping 

into the room, " I have just met Bro. , from Mt. 

Zion. He handed me some money for you, and I 've 
been thinking you need a light coat, and so I went at 
once to buy some alpaca, and here it is, and my good 
wife will, with great pleasure, cut the pattern and 
make it for you at once." And, unrolling the pack- 
age he carried, I saw some very nice white stuff 
in the same parcel, and Bro. R., holding it up to me, 
said ; " Now, you see, when I bought the coat, the clerk 
in the store asked, ' Is this for you, Bro. R. ? ' ' No,' I 
said, ' it is for Bro. Krauser.' — ' Oh, then he must 
have a waist-coat, and 1 11 measure it off, and please ac- 
cept it as a present.' There was Bro. in the store, 

who overheard our conversation, and stepping up he 
said, ' If you give Bro. K. a white vest, he ought to have 
two, to change when the one is in the wash, so please 
measure off another, and I '11 pay for it.' You see, Bro. 
Krauser," continued Bro. R., " that is the way things 
come about." 

I did not say anything, — my heart was too full. I 



60 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

bade the good brother good-night, and again worship- 
ping the Lord, I poured out my heart, and felt truly 
thankful toward Him who had immediately answered 
my prayer. While I had been 'praying, the Lord had 
given orders at once ; now I said : " Lord, my panta- 
loons !" 

Meeting Bro. 's Sister R. in the morning, I found 

that this good sister had been working until quite late 
last night, and had finished the coat, and nearly finished 
one waist-coat. After breakfast and family prayer, I 
put on my new coat with thankful heart, and went to 
the post-office to mail some letters. Passing one of the 
stores a voice called me back. On turning I recognized 

dear Bro. , who took hold of my hands and said : 

"Glad to meet you this morning, and while you are 
handy we can settle the business at once. Bro. Krau- 
ser," he said, " I want to make you a present of a good 
pair of pantaloons. You select the cloth ; a tailor has 
already agreed to make them for you, free of charge, 
because I have spoken about it already." 

Now, what was I to do but to praise the Lord silently 
in my heart, and do as I was bidden. The following 
day I was in possession of the clothes ; but that same day, 
in the afternoon, I discovered, to my horror, that the 
top-leather of one of my boots had split, and the white 
stocking appeared for same reason to get a peep at the 
light of the day. It must have just occurred, for all 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 61 

was right a short time before. Well, long enough I had 
worn them, and why did I not at once include boots in 
my petition of two days ago, and the thing would not 
have happened. Looking at my foot in pity, I learned 
a lesson, and hurried home. 

MAETr>T Luthee's Ink-bottle. — A Comparison. 

I took to the ink-bottle, and tried my skill in paint- 
ing a certain white spot black. I succeeded pretty well, 
but in doing this I felt somewhat ashamed for not claim- 
ing a complete suit at once, a few days before. Bat I 
had not thought. The Lord give me a " clear mind and 
a large hand," always ! However, Satan also tried to 
have his say while I was " painting," — suppose the ink 
drew him. "Now, you are nicely treated, — if you go 
on preaching you '11 soon be in rags." As a good 
Dutchman, I was about to compare Luther's ink-bottle, 
with the one in my hands; but quickly the thought 
came that Satan's suggestion was not worth quite so 
much as to spoil our good brother's papered wall : and, 
— thromng the black coat straight into his hideous face, 
it knocked him quite out of my sight. 

Crying, " Praise the Lord ! " I got my boots, too. 

I left the house with Bro. R , and preached that 

evening again at the church, and great blessing- 
attended our efforts. 

Now, the next day came a blessing such as often was 



62 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

my portion, from the hands of my Heavenly Saviour. 
While up town I saw a wagon coming down the street, 
and I thought I recognized Bro. C, from Rose Hill, — • 
yes, it was he. Bro. C, who always smiled and shone, 
and who always had his mouth "full of the Canaan 
grapes," as he used to say, jumped off the wagon, and 
we greeted each other with a hearty shake of the hand,, 
and a holy kiss. Then he said : " I have some busi- 
ness to attend to, and if you will accompany me I shall 
be very glad." I consented, and soon his business was 
finished. Going up the street he entered a boot and shoe 
store, and bought a pair of boots for himself ; and when 
he had put them on, he said : " Now, Bro. Krauser, you 
select a pair for yourself, and accept them as a present 
from me in the Lord." 

Then, soon after, when we were alone, I told Bro. C. 
my experience, and the prayers, and how God had been 
pleased to answer these petitions. We long stood and 
praised the Lord for His wonderful goodness and love 
towards His children, and the ways He leads those who 
will tfust Him for everything. (Dear Bro. C. is now in 
South America, preaching and teaching in connection 
with Bishop Taylor's self-supporting mission. I wonder 
what he will say when he shall look back on tliis sweet 
experience of the past hfe, and see that the Lord has 
not forgotten his labors of love. " Praise the Lord ! " 
he will say, while his large blue eyes will fill with tears 
of joy.) 



♦ IN SOUTH A^IERICA. 63 

" Then scatter seeds of kindness, 
For the reaping by-and-fhy." 

To none living on earth were intimations of mj needs 
made. The Lord only had been told, and He did an- 
swer in His own way. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for- 
ever ! The flow of supplies did, however, not stop here ; 
but, as with one common consent, the people brought 
shirts, stockings, handkerchiefs, and such things as I 
stood in need of. 

It was now the ninth of July, and I received an in- 
vitation, together with some other brethren, to take 

charge of a camp-meeting at the W grove. The 

time for separation had come, and I bade my many 
friends, and those who had so cheerfully helped in the 
good work, a hasty farewell, such as Bros. Reynolds, 
Gebbhard, Colburn, Tansey, and others. 

No collection had been taken, nor had any person 
been asked to contribute a mite ; but the day when 
starting for the camp-meeting, I received from several 
sides gifts in money to go on my way, and it proved just 

sufficient to take me to the grounds. At B , in 

Ohio, stopped a few days, preaching, and on the twenty- 
fifth the meetings on the camp-ground were begun. 

The Lord blessed us much there, but not so many 
were brought to Jesus as we well might have expected. 
It seemed that the financial scheme had quite absorbed 
the attention of those leaders who had called the meet- 



64 SIX YEAnS WITH AYILLLAJ^I tIyLOR 

irig. There were church debts and preachers' salaries 
to be considered, and it much hindered the soul-saving 
work. It was hard work to break through, and all felt 
it so. Yet the Lord saved some. This meeting closed, 
and with it my arrangements for the future. 



CHAPTER III. 

MY FIRST MEETING WITH BISHOP TAYLOR m 1878.— 
DAYTON CAMP-MEETING. 

I HAD no direct, fixed plans, made beforehand, as I 
always left open a space for the Spirit to push in His 
voice ; and just before leaving the camp I retired to 
pray, and while talking Avith Jesus, it occurred to me to 
go to the Dayton Camp-meeting, to hear others preach, 
to strengthen my own heart, and gain experience by 
seeing others work ; and, of course, to do any work the 
Lord might 'wish me to do. When this question was 
settled, I arose, and heard at the same time some one 
calling out : " The last omnibus to the station ! " I ran 
to the tent, snatched up my satchel, and made for the 
omnibus, for it had already started, and just as I was 
jumping up behind, one inside took charge of my 
satchel, and another person running up to the moving 
omnibus, pressed something soft into my hand and hur- 
riedly left. The omnibus was soon briskly moving 
toward the railroad station, about ten miles away, and I 
soon opened my hand and found that it was a five-dollar 
bill. Not until now did it occur to me that I had no 
other money, and that I had jumped on the omnibus 
without a cent in my pocket to pay my fare, and the 

65 



66 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

fare to Dayton. The Lord evidently knew, and accord- 
ingly provided, and what of it if He did choose to pro- 
vide "just in the nick of time?" My arrangement 
had been made with God, from the beginning, and it 
had become natural to me to trust — like breathing the 
atmosphere ; and once clear as to what the Lord wanted 
me to do, I have often been thus wonderfully led to 
jump, as it were, at a moment's notice, into the omni- 
bus, the Lord kindly moving it for me, so as to take 
away even the thought of a doubt — not giving me 
time except just to take hold, and see the salvation of 
God. It is hard — I find it so, at least — to explain 
such experience ; but I am entirely at a loss to express 
it. I only know thus it is, and trusting God, as He has 
led me to trust Him, is so simple and easy, so natural — 
it is simply childlike ; and when He says Himself, " Take 
no thought," should I wonder if sometimes the Lord so 
completely hides me in Himself in such emergencies, 
and takes away thought for the time being ? — and 
then, in some way, I return to consciousness, and open- 
ing my hand, find, as m this case, a five-dollar bill in 
my hand. It is truly God in us, helping us in every 
way, to be " kept in perfect peace ; " and our minds are 
" stayed upon Him, because we trust Him.'* Yes, it 
seems to be a taking away from the reality outside, for 
a moment. 

The money I had received was just sufficient to take 



IK SOUTH AJ^IEEICA. 67 

me to Dayton. It was there that I first saw William 
Taylor. He had recently returned from South Amer- 
ica, and he was illustrating his discourse from experi- 
ences gained in that country. (I had not heard of this 
man before ; but I listened with great attention to what 
he had to say, and I thought that he was a remarkable 
man, but never for a moment did I think of work in 
other lands.) 

The Dayton Camp-meeting was a great blessing to 
me, and I was privileged to preach several times on 
holiness, in the tent, and God owned the labors of His 
servant in a signal manner. Preachers and laymen 
came to seek the great blessing of sanctification of body 
and soul. One waiter-boy of seventeen used to stand 
behind a tree and listen whenever his duties did not 
call him ; " but," said he, on being asked concerning 
liis soul, "I cannot give up the world." One day I 
called upon the brethren to go apart to some lonely 
spot, and there pray for that boy. We had prayed for 
about half an hour, when close behind me a trembling 
voice was heard to pray : " Lord, have mercy upon me, 
a sinner ! " and soon tears of repentance flowed freely ; 
and as I turned to help the poor struggler, because he 
could pray no more, whom should I behold but the boy 
we had been praying for ? He was happily converted, 
and proved to be genuine after. 

One pastor came into our little circle, and kneelii^g 



68 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

down, lie said : " I shall not arise until God has, for 
Christ's sake, and with His own precious blood, cleansed 
my heart from all sin, and made me whole." He found 
peace and cleansing in believing. Then came days of 
power, and what the dear Lord has done there for the 
perishing world and lukewarm Christians, can never be 
told. Only, "Praise God !" can I say, and, lost in 
astonishment and in admiration of Him who has come 
to seek and to save that which was lost, I go on my way 
rejoicing. 

A Visit to the Place of My Birth. 

When the meeting closed, I made a special request 

that the Lord might permit me to go to C , the 

place of my spiritual birth. I longed to see my old 
friends, and tell them what the Lord had done for me. 
" If, Lord, it is Thy will, send me the money to go to 
C ," were the last words in my prayer. Much as- 
sured that the Lord would grant me my petition, I arose 
and soon met several persons, who, taking leave and 
bidding me God-speed, pressed each some money 
into my hands — again the amount necessary to permit 
me to go to C ; not anything above it. 

On the seventh of August I arrived at C , and 

then soon met the brother who, under God, together 
with a good sister, were the instruments in leading me 
out of darkness into light, and from the power of Satan 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 69 

unto God. Both Bro. W. and Sister J. were so glad to 
see me, and I was at once introduced to the pastor of 
N. Chapel, who, for the following Sabbath, engaged me 
to preach for him. 

My text was 1 Cor. iii. 1. Subject : " The carnal mind 
in believers." After the service had been closed, the dear 
pastor felt sure that I was altogether wrong in my 
views on that chapter. I felt exceedingly sorry ; but I 
was as sure as he, and did not change my opinion con 
cerning it. Thus battles were fought and victories 
won continually; but it always made me feel so heavy 
when dear Methodist preachers would tell me that they 
opposed the doctrine of perfect love. They were, as a 
rule, much older than myself, and so I could only pray 
God that the time would come when the Methodist 
clergy would, to say the least, abide by the M. E. Dis- 
cipline as touching the doctrine of holiness ; and God 
in His mercy would surely lead them to " search the 
Scriptures," as to whether these things be so, and sanc- 
tify and purify them, and endue them with power from 
on high. 

In the evening service this dear brother preached 
against the theory, and took for a text the words found 
in 1 Cor. ii. 9, which reads as follows : "Eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart 
of man, the things which God hath prepared for them 
that love Him." From such a text to disprove the 



70 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

possibility of the present enjoyment of perfect love, is 
always a failure ; and leaving the church, several dear 
people came to me and said : " Don't be troubled, dear 
brother, we also feel sorry that our dear pastor kept the 
cream^ and gave us skim-milk, for he left out the pre- 
cious word of the following verse (v. 10), ' But God 
hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.' We will 
pray for him," continued the brethren. 

Was not this a noble Clmstian spirit ? Yes, pray for 
him. If it was not for such within the church who see 
better than their pastor, many a church would have 
been closed up and sold by auction in the different 
parts of the vineyard. They resolved to stand by this 
pastor and pray. That was a good resolution. Amen ! 
So may all do for the pastor who is not yet in the light 
of holiness. Many souls are being cheated by getting 
chaff instead of wheat. The Lord save His people, and 
give power to His saints to tell the story of complete 
deliverance, that others may hear and be glad. 

Bro. W. then invited me to attend the L Camp- 
meeting, which I did, 

His Grace All-Sueticient. 

The Lord there saw fit to permit a great trial to be- 
fall me, which in the end proved to be a good, which 
God intended for me. I had taken some meals with 
Bro. W. in a tent which was occupied by another Chri^ 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 71 

tian family. One day I was not called to take my din- 
ner, but the good brother came out to me, and, handing 
me fifty cents, told me to go to the boarding-tent and 
get a meal there. He looked sad and he saw that I had 
noticed it, and before I asked a question, the brother 
took me aside and said : " The cliildren of that family 
in the tent refuse to eat with you at the same table, be- 
cause they knew you before your conversion to have 
been a great sinner." 

I begged dear Bro. W. to leave me for a time. I de- 
sired to be alone. It was all that I could say. On 
what now passed between me and my God, I will draw 
a curtain, and say only this : I wept bitterly, oh, how 
bitterly ! My past life rose up before me, and the sins 
of that life rose up once more to my vision as in the 
days when I repented, some years ago. My heart bled, 
and I cried to God to keep me in perfect peace, and to 
give me a glorious victory. Yes, it was a victory beyond 
description. There was no feeling of ill-will toward 
those who refused to eat with me. Yes, I felt that I 
was the unworthiest of creatures, but through the pre- 
cious blood of Jesus, made the child of a King, and 
made to sit down in heavenly places. The hand of 
Jesus raised me up from my knees, and such sweet 
peace and joy entered my heart ! oh, so sweet and so 
comforting, that I was lost in wonder, and thanked God 
for the trial. It humbled me anew before God, and He 



72 SIX YEAES WITH WILIJAM TAYLOR 

enabled me to see, through the dark cloud, the lesson, 
how good it is to be humbled at times, when we are in 
the midst of successful Christian work, and winning 
victories for Jesus on all sides. Oh, how I feel to thank 
the blessed Jesus for His goodness to me ! Only one 
question arose in my mind which made me sad again. 
It was. Are those poor souls in that tent the Lord's be- 
loved ? I trust and pray we may one day meet in heav- 
en around God's white throne, and meet as those who 
have come up out of great tribulation, and washed our 
robes white in the blood of the Lamb. 

The Lord had much work for me in other parts of 
the camp-ground, and when on the following day I was 
hungry, I prayed to God for food, and, walking through 
the thousands of visitors, I cast my eyes for a moment 
to the ground, and just then I saw something glittering 
in the sun, and stooping down, I held in my hand a 
twenty-five cent piece. This was invested in food, and 
it being near the close of the meeting, I took leave of 
Bro. W. and walked to an AUbright camp-meeting. I 
desired to get acquainted with them. It was a days' 

journey from L , but I had just prayed the Lord to 

give me a pleasant journey, when a buggy passed by, 
and a pleasant-looking man asked me whether I wished 
to have a ride. Consent was given, and I found the 
man was not a Christian. When I told him how I had 
just been praying while walking along the road, the man 



IN SOUTH AJVIEEICA. 73 

was much affected, and expressed a desire to become a 
Christian. We rode together for some hours, and the 
Lord had a word for this man's soul. I trust to meet 
him in heaven. 

I soon was at the camp-ground, and the man with 
whom I rode had taken another road. I was well re- 
ceived by some of the brethren, but found the " cloth 
had been cut already." The time was taken up by 
workers of their own denomination, and no chance given 
me to preach. However, the Lord used me the follow- 
ing day to work at the altar. The day after I left the 
camp-ground, and making my way to the nearest railroad 

station, I there met Bro. W., of C , who paid my 

passage to C . Stopping there the second time, 

the Lord added many souls to His church. 

On the 25th of August I received a note to go to 

S , Bro. Birdsall's charge, to hold meetings there for 

the promotion of holiness, together with some other 
brother of the Ohio Holiness Alliance. Bro. B. had 
just accepted a call to South America, to the Isthmus, 
to work under William Taylor. 

I there heard more about Taylor's work, and one day 
Bro. B. asked me plainly : "Would you go to South 
America if you were called?" — "If called of God, I 
should obey," was my answer, "but as yet I do not 
know of such a call." The matter was dropped, and 
the meetings continued for some days. The Lord con- 



74 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

verted and sanctified a few, and the hours with Bro. 
Birdsall and his good wife were seasons of great bless- 
ing. (Bro. B. went to the Isthmus of Panama. He 
was the first missionary that was sent to South America 
by WiUiam Taylor. He worked too hard, and God took 
him after he had been with his flock but a few months.) 
On the 4th of September there was a camp-meeting 

at M , which I attended, and the Lord used me there 

in various ways to lead seekers to Jesus, and give testi- 
mony for Him in the different meetings. 

Struck in the Face. — Glory and Praise. 

While there, a woman who had been mightily con- 
victed of sin, came to me after the meeting and said : 
" Sir, I saw you looking at me in the hall, and I wanted 
to know whether you meant me with what you said, 
when you were preaching. Do you mean me, sir, or 
not ? " — " My dear woman, I do not know you — never 
met you before, but if 3'ou are ' hit ' I dare say the Lord 
intended His message for you, for, indeed, I preached to 
the unsaved, and surely meant them in particular who 
still live in sin." 

At this explanation the poor woman became quite 
angry, and before I knew it she had struck me with her 
fist. I threw up my hands, and clapping them, I shout- 
ed : " Glory to God ! Glory to God ! " and vfas, in the 
twinkling of an eye, so filled with joy that for a time I 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 75 

forgot my surroundings. When I looked about me 
again I saw some of the brethren standing near, but the 
woman was gone. Poor thing ! got scared, no doubt ; 
perhaps she expected a fight, and in that case I believe 
she would have stood like a man, for she looked quite 
determined to make me answer ; but tliis was, evidently, 
too much for her — she could not stand when God was 
speaking. Poor soul : I was blessed and she was not. 
God be praised for a living Jesus within the soul. 

Ix A Prison. 

Towards the end of the meeting, out at the camp, 
the Lord called me to visit the county prison. Some 
sisters accompanied me, and God was with us in great 
power. From cell to cell we went and invited the poor 
captives out into the court-yard to hear the preaching 
of God's word. Some excused themselves, saying they 
needed nothing. Quite innocent, I presumed. Others 
were playing cards, others reading, — however, some 
came out to hear us. While yet speaking I saw a tall, 
strongly-built man, leaning his forehead against the iron 
bars of a window, and soon I saw how hard he tried to 
conceal his features, for the tears were trickling down 
his cheeks, and wet the dingy pavement at his feet. 
When the meeting closed, and a sister offered the last 
prayer, loud sobs were heard to proceed from the quar- 
ter where the man stood. I walked up to him, but he 



76 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

did not look up — he wept. Then, placing my hand on 
his shoulder and trying to look into his eyes, he said: 
" Oh, do not look at me ! I am a poor, lost sinner." 
Then I told him that he was just the man whom Jesus 
came to save. His looks changed, and the poor man 
looked at me and exclaimed : " Oh, is this true ? Do 
you think God would have mercy on me now, while I 
am in prison ? " — " Sin has brought you to this place, 
and God alone is able to bring you out of Satan's prison, 
and if you truly repent and believe the record that God 
gives concerning His Son, and make an unreserved sur- 
render of yourself to Him, He is willing to save you 
this moment." 

The man sank down upon his knees, and then, before 
we left the prison, was made to rejoice in the Saviour. 
(Just before leaving the country I received a letter from 
this man, in which he states that he had soon been dis- 
charged from prison, and obtained employment, and that 
he had connected himself with the church.) 

After once more preaching to the people at M , 

on the public square, from an old shoe-box, I received 
another call to go to Union City and Rose Hill. The 
work about there had been continued after my depart- 
ure, and the brethren wanted help for a season, for God 
had prepared the field. In the morning of the next 
day I attended the closing of a meeting, when I felt I 
must be going, if the train should not start without me. 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 77 

The brethren knew about my going, and so I arose from 
my knees during prayer offered by several workers, and 
on tip-toe, made my way through those kneeling about 
me. One sister seeing me go, took hold of my hand, and 
pressed a few bright dollars into it, and without rising 
from her knees or saying a word, we parted, and soon I 
sat in the cars. This sister had given me enough to pay 
my passage to Union City. Now, Lord, just in good 
time 1 I had no money when I rose from praj^er, but I 
had had a talk just then with Jesus, and I knew in some 
way He would provide ; however, I never thought it 
would come from any one engaged in prayer, and while 
kneeling ; but our thoughts are surely not God's 
thoughts in such tilings, and He often, in a most pleas- 
ant way, shames us if we have had any thoughts about 
the " how." 

The joy of meeting the loved ones once more, was 
great, and " to work," was the word again. To relate 
the experiences of this second campaign, is quite be- 
yond possibility. If we had blessings before, they came 
in greater power this time, and soon the Lord had tliirty 
souls saved at Rose Hill, and five more in one day's 
meeting at Mount Zion Church. 

Justification and Sanctification Inside of Fif- 
teen Minutes. 

Here is the experience of a dear sister. For several 



78 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAIVI TAYLOK 

days slie had come to the altar, but could find no peace. 
When the meetmgs were closed at Rose Hill, she fol- 
lowed to a chapel some five miles distant. When there 
the altar was crowded with seekers, and she was one of 
them. But there she was enabled to make a full sur- 
render of herself to God, and was caused to rejoice ex- 
ceedingly. Speaking with her , I found her very clear, 
and her testimony was the " shibboleth " unmistakably 
correct. Passing on to other seekers, and helping as far 
as I could, together with other workers, my attention 
was soon called to the other end of the bench, and I saw 
the sister just spoken of, in deep thought, her head hung 
upon her hands ; she was evidently troubled. Thinking 
that the enemy was trying to get the poor sister to 
doubt her acceptance, I bowed down and asked, " Sis- 
ter, what is it you are thinking about ? " Looking up, 
she said, solemnly : " Bro. K., you have been preaching 
holiness, and I have heard you so often ; and the Lord 
has just now been showing me, while here, the distinc- 
tion between sins forgiven and sins cleansed, and it cor- 
responds with my inner condition ; and knowing pos- 
itively my sins forgiven, I now desire the cleansing from 
all indwelling corruption. I see it clearly, dear brother, 
and now tell me, can I not receive it now?" and with 
tearful eyes she watched my reply. 

" Yes, God will do all He has engaged Himself to do 
for us, according to His promise. Ask and you shall 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 79 

receive, and — the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all 



sin." 



This being the first case of the kind in my experience 
with seekers, I looked forward with some curiosity as to 
the outcome of this before me. I desired to see the 
salvation of the Lord, and accordingly said but little. 
However, there was no doubt raised with my feelings, 
and soon we all beheld what God could do for the hun- 
gry soul. God came to bless that sister. There was 
not that outward manifestation of great joy, as wit- 
nessed fifteen minutes ago, when this sister received the 
knowledge of sins forgiven ; but a deep peace took pos- 
session of her soul, and scarcely above a whisper she 
was heard to say, ''Now the Lord also sanctifieth me 
wholly : His blood cleanseth me from all sin. ThardvS 
be to God for a pure heart ! " Then, after a time, she 
broke out in tears of joy, and praised God with a loud 
voice. 

Now I believe this is God's intention, to first pardon 
and then cleanse ; and let no man set space of time, for 
God can and will save, if but the teaching on those 
subjects be clear, and sinners receive both doctrines 
from the pulpit, and are properly assisted when seeking 
the Lord. Truly hath the Lord showed us His glory 
and His power to save. 

In March, 1879, when laboring in South America, I 
received a copy of the Harvester^ where a Bro. W., 



80 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

who was present at that meeting, made the same state- 
ments as above to that paper, and adds the following : 
" Here we have justification and sanctification both, in- 
side of fifteen minutes. A short growth^ is it not? 
This winter this sister had bleeding of the lungs. 
While at her home I saw on one side of her bed, two 
sick children, while on the other lay the mother, gasp- 
ing for breath. Her lungs were fast filling with blood, 
and in a short time she could not breathe, and it took 
two of us to hold her. She finally sank back upon her 
pillow, and while we knelt in prayer, I could hear her 
clap those feeble hands and whisper ; ' Jesus I Jesus ! 
Jesus ! ' On a similar occasion she was alone with a 
young lady, who ran out of doors. When the strug- 
gling could be heard no more, the young lady entered, 
supposing to find the sufferer dead ; but in astonish- 
ment found her alive. She asked her : ' Were you not 
afraid to die ? ' To this Sister C. replied ; ' No, to die 
is gain for me. Glory to God ! ' Truly a holiness 
testimony. Amen." 

At the Dayton Camp-meeting, I met a woman who 
told me she had the blessing of holiness as revealed in 
the Bible at the moment of conversion ; but this good 
woman at times got so angry that some thought she 
needed her sins forgiven ; and then she contended 
that everybody gets angry, making it appear as 
though the Lord leaves at least that much of the carnal 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 81 

mind to trouble us. Now, thus to fight, and struggle, 
and live, some think to be the " Christian warfare," con- 
founding it with Paul's fight, " fight the good fight of 
faith." Thank God ! He can take away anger, and, 
under all circumstances under heaven, keep us saved, 
through the mighty baptism of perfect love. But it is 
a great pity that so many, like the son in the parable, 
instead of believing the word, of the Father — " Son, 
all that I have is thine," — and taking it, they go out 
into the barn or pig-sty, pouting it out. Well, those 
who go in with the Father see how prodigals are brought 
home, and enjoy the feast. John was of the kind filled 
with love, and thus was blessed in bringing souls to 
Jesus, and seeing the wanderers' home, and then he 
could say : " I have no greater joy than to see my chil- 
dren walk in the truth." 



CHAPTER IV. 

MY CALL TO SOUTH AMEBIC A. — A LETTER FEOM WIL- 
LIAM TAYLOE. 

Octoher^lSlS. — I was just about to make arrange- 
ment for other meetings, for a Bro. C. sent me word to 
take charge of a ten-da js' meeting, and a German 
pastor asked me to preach in liis church. For some 
time it had been my wish to preach in mj native tongue, 
and I often wondered why it was that the Lord never 
opened the way for me to enter the German work ; but 
as it was, I had never yet preached in German, and for 
that reason mj answer to this j)astor was : " God will- 
ing, I shall come." To Bro. C. I wrote the same: 
" God willing, I shall come." But the Lord had made 
other arrangements for me. I was justmaldng prepar- 
ations to attend the calls I had received, when, to my 
great surprise, I received a letter from the Rev. Wm. 
Taylor. The letter was read with the greatest care — 
read and re-read. I could hardly believe my eyes. The 
letter was very short, and in substance contained the 

following : — 

ToEONTO, Canada, Oct. 2Y. 

Dear Bro. Barchwiiz-Krausery — The other day I sent the Eev. 

Mr. Birdsall to Aspinwall. He told me something about you, and 

after praying about the matter, I was satisfied that you are my man. 

82 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 83 

The Lord wants you to go to South America in my self-supporting 
missions, and preach on faith line to the Germans in the south of 
Chili, your own country people. Are you ordained an elder, or local 
preacher in the church ? Write. 

Yours in Christ, 

Wm. TAYI.OK. 

I at once suspended my preparations to go to my ap- 
pointments and gave myself to prayer for several days, 
— prayer and fasting. It came so suddenly upon me — 
so unexpectedly — that I did not know liow to look up- 
on or to face the question ; but the Lord helped me. 
The brethren were consulted, praying much over it. Had 
the Lord been preparing me for the self-supporting mis- 
sions of William Taylor? The question came to me 
again and again. Does God want me to go ? By prayer 
and fasting and waiting for God to speak to my soul, I 
received, after a hard struggle, a definite answer, and I 
believe that God had been preparing me for Taylor's 
self-supporting mission all the time, and I knew God 
wanted me to go. I wrote only a few lines to Will- 
iam Taylor, saying : — 

Dear Bro. Taylor , — I have prayed to God, and it is clear the Lord 
wants me to go. I say from the bottom of my heart, "Here, Lord, 
am I : send me." 

In a few days an answer came, and Bro. Taylor asked : 
" Do you need money to go to New York ? You must 
be there in November. Steamer Acapuleo leaves the 
latter part of that month." 



84 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIA^I TAYLOR 

I wrote back : " (D. V.) shall be in New York in time. 
Do n't want you to send me any money. I liacl better 
keep on the self-supporting line, and pray God for the 
means to go, and accept it of Him as another token of 
His favor. I am a local preacher in theM. E. Church." 

A Visit from William Tayi.or. 

Soon another letter came to my hands, from William 
Taylor, stating that he was on a hasty trip to Indianap- 
olis, and would cut across to Union City, and there 
would wish to see me personally. The appointed time 
came, and Father Taylor emerged from the ear. I knew 
him because of seeing him at the Dayton camp-meeting, 
and so stepped up at once and took his hand. Father 
T. looked at me for a moment, and kissed me. " So you 
are my Dutchman?" he said. "And a child of the 
King," was my answer. 

Father Taylor was taken up to the house of one of 
the brethren, where he stopped over night. The time 
was spent in much useful conversation concerning South 
America. We also had much singing and prayer. The 
following morning, this, as I thought, remarkable man, 
took his departure. 

There was something in all his movements and man- 
ners,»and in all he said or sang, that impressed me deep- 
ly, and something I had not noticed in any body else ; 
and yet he seemed so humble and childlike, though pos- 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 85 

sessed with a certain grandeur becoming to royalty, — 
becoming to a son " of the man who made the world," 
as he used to say. To say it : I fell in love with Father 
Taylor. 

Now, when this thing was noised abroad, I received 
letters from many friends, with words of encouragement, 
and many gifts were sent to me, of such things as I 
needed, such as articles for wear. One good sister 
made me a present of something very useful. It con- 
sisted of different kinds of thread, needles, pins, and 
buttons, and a neat cloth case, containing the whole. 
How the Lord blessed me in sending me these tokens 
of Christian love ! Also, I received sufficient money to 
take me to New York, and on my arrival there had 
something left. The parting was very affecting ; but 
the light of the Spirit dispersed the gloom. On my ar- 
rival in New York, I found a letter addressed to me, 
which read as follows, in substance : — 

Dear Sir and Brother, — Understanding, through the periodicals, 
that the Eev. William Taylor has engaged you to go to South Amer- 
ica, and presuming that no provision has heen made to pay your x)as- 
sage, I herewith enclose check for $333. I should be glad to hear 

from you at any time. 

Yours in Christ, 
Indiana. D. P. 

Father Taylor did not tell me how I would get my 
passage to South America, but he said that very prob- 
ably I should find some letter of further instruction at 



86 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

805 Broadway, New York ; and reading tlie foregoing 
letter, it is plain that Bro. T. did not know who was to 
be the instrument in God's hand to send the passage 
money ; and that when he engaged me, he had not the 
money in hand, no transit fund being in existence 
yet. 

Thus God prepared and called me to go to South 
America, under Bishop Taylor. 

While waiting in New York, I had the privilege of 
preaching in some of the churches, in the pulpits and 
class-rooms, and also to labor at the altar during meetings 
held by Mrs. VanCott, who was in New York at the 
time. There I was kept busily engaged up to the last 
evening before steamer sailing, I also received another 
letter from Father Taylor, in which he informs me that 
Mr. Henry Hoffman, of Berea, Ohio, and wife, were to 
go by same steamer to South America, and enter the 
German work, — they to work in the Province of Llan- 
quihue, and I to the City of Valdivia. 

Leaving fok South A:MEr.icA. 
The day for departure arrived, and Bro. Hoif man and 
wife came on board. Many friends came to see us off. 
Thus we embarked on board the Acajndco, on the 30th 
November, 1878, and as the steamer left the pier, we all 
sang, " I 've reached the land of corn and wine." We 
went to preach a full Gospel to the people of South 
America. 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 87 

The first three days out we encountered a terrific 
storm, and it was a grand sight to us. Tlie mighty waves 
rose like mountains about us and beneath us, lifting the 
sliip and tossing her, for a few moments, as it were, into 
the air, which caused her to tremble like a leaf ; but 
then she gracefully sunk down into the valley of the 
raging ocean, and then it would seem for a moment as 
if the mountains of water above us had combined to 
swallow up the sliip and her living freight. But we 
were safe, and without fear we beheld the grand sight. 
Now and then a huge wave would sweep the decks. 
At such times we were out of harm's way. The cap- 
tain understood the weather, and by his orders we had 
then to remain below. Then came the fine weather, 
and warm, and just the day before anchoring in the 
harbor of Colon, the captain of our steamer permitted 
us to see a sight which greatly contributed to our con- 
fidence in him. The fire-bell was rung, and in a few 
minutes every man of the crew was at his post. Then 
we saw, when tliese exercises were over, how the cap- 
tain slyly cut one of the life-buoys, fastened to the rail- 
ing, and the signal followed : " Man overboard ! " Now 
followed the spectacle that was so interesting. In a 
surprisingly short time, one of the boats was lowered 
and manned, and shot out after the buoy, floating near 
the steamer, and as quickly brought it on board. This 
was done in such a short time, that all on board felt 



88 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

satisfied it would not have given time to a person falling 
overboard to drown. So much for this captain and his 
crew, — and how about the Captain of our salvation — 
Jesus Christ ? Surely, He is not only willing to save, 
but He is ready, with His own hands, to save those who, 
without His saving presence, go down to the bottom of 
the sea of sin, into which so many of the victims have 
plunged, and, aside from Jesus, have no rope thrown 
to them, and see no rescuing boat nearing to save. 
And yet, outside of Christ, men and women sink, daily, 
into hell, for they will not call upon Jesus to save 
them. 

The following day we stepped on shore at Aspinwall 
— a dreadfully filthy place — built up in a swamp, 
breaking out in fevers ; and here we met the Rev. Bro. 
Birdsall, Bro. Taylor's first man in South America. 
We found him very happy, and in good health. Our 
steamer did not make connection at that time with the 
one on the Pacific side of the ocean, and we were com- 
pelled to stop in Aspinwall for about six days. 

Our First Revival in South America. 
Bro. Birdsall suggested that we have a revival of the 
Lord's work in that place, and set out at once to invite 
the people. Bro. H. and myself responded with a 
hearty amen, and the meetings were begun in the 
church at once. Every evening we gathered a good 



TX SOUTH AMERICA. 89 

congregation, and the Lord graciously poured out the 
Holy Ghost, and daily many precious souls were sound- 
ly converted to God, and many among the believers 
sanctified wholly, and cleansed from inbred sin. These 
were days of refreshing among the whites and among 
the natives, both ; and we had no room to regret that 
we were delayed on the Isthmus of Panama. 

The last day in Aspinwall, as we walked down to the 
train that should take us to Panama, we saw a num- 
ber of colored men and women, who stood in the streets, 
and, with a loud voice, praised the Lord for salvation 
found. They were so filled that it was impossible for 
them to keep still. Our hearts were filled with thanks- 
giving, and we had every reason to believe that good 
numbers had been converted to God, and that one day 
we shall strike hands with scores of such who found 
the Saviour during our stay in Colon, wdien we reach 
the last outpost, and see each other face to face around 
the throne of God on high. It was my special privi- 
lege to often go apart with dear Bro. Birdsall and talk 
with him over the deep things of God. He loved so 
much to talk of those things that pertained to the 
teaching of holiness — holy living. These hours have 
been the sweetest of my life, and I think I can never 
forget Bro. B.'sface, when, after having bathed togeth- 
er in the sunshine of God's marvellous truth, — as it 
was revealed to us while talking, — when in low strains 



•<> 



90 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

he would begin to sing the sweet " Benlah hymn," his 
favorite, and then I would chime in. Next I would 
take his hand, and, looking at liim, would' see the tears 
of joy steal to his eye. 

Dear Bro. Birdsall! he has gone home to heaven 
since. Only a few weeks after I had left him, God took 
him home. When I read the notice, I could understand 
it all. I could now understand why he was thus talking 
and singing with me, and why he seemed so heavenly 
to me during such hours. God was preparing one of 
His saints to step into the chariot of fire. Glory to 
God ! Doubly sweet is the remembrance of those 
blessed hours to me to-day. How can I forget them 
now? They shall rise up before me when I shall hear 
the wheels of the chariot of fire. When I hear the 
tramping of Israel's steeds, I want to think of those 
hours, — yes, and of the hours we had spent together in 
his charge, before he left the United States. Oh, how 
to-day I remember every word that ever passed between 
us ! It is wonderful, and I pray that God may grant 
me grace to always commune with those about me as 
in the face of eternity. My friend ! my brother ! thou 
hast passed away. Oh, how my he,art bled when I 
heard of it ! I hurried into the forest, to a beauti- 
ful spot overlooking a beautiful lake, with two 
snow-capped volcanoes standing with their feet in the 
lake, just opposite from where I knelt in prayer. There 



IN SOUTH A^^IERICA. 91 

was the beautiful sunshine, and not a ripple on the 
water before me. Never did the panorama seem so 
grand ! And as, with tearful eyes, I looked up to God, 
I sang the verses we had so often sung together, — 

" I look away, across the sea, 
Where mansions are prepared for me." 

All was so quiet about me — only the sweet warbling 
of some birds in the distance ; but it seemed as if the 
great angelic choir joined with me in the sweet refrain. 
My brother ! my dearly beloved brother Birdsall ! soon 
— soon — I shall meet you there, with Jesus and all His 
loved ones. Glory to God in the highest ! 

Bro. Birdsall found a fine church-building at Colon, 
put up by the railroad company, and was permitted to 
use it for any religious services he might desire. His 
salary was made up by voluntary contribution by those 
living in the country, and not from the people or any 
society at home ; and I was expected to live the same 
way. Bro. B. told me that he received all the money 
necessary to carry on the work, and that they had no 
lack. Praise the Lord ! He not only preached in the 
city — Colon — but there was a negro settlement a few 
few miles to the southwest — Monkey Hill — which he 
visited regularly every Sunday. I preached once there, 
and had then several conversions. The people loved 
Bro. Birdsall, and he had conversions constantly. 



92 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

LiPE ON THE Isthmus. 

A great deal of money seems to flow into this port, 
as also at Panama ; and, accordingly, a great deal of 
vice is visible. Gambling is a prominent feature in 
those two places, and notwithstanding the bad climate, 
there is careless living noticeable, among foreigners 
especially, and the death-rate among them astonished 
me. I spoke to several who evidently enjoyed good 
health, and indeed had not been sick with the fever yet, 
although living on the Isthmus for two or three years. 
I took notice of what they told me about their mode of 
living. In the first place thej rejected the idea that 
with every drink of water, brandy or whiskey or wine 
must be used, because the water is bad ; but they took 
good care" that the water they drank had first been 
boiled, and drank it either pure, or in the shape of 
coffee or tea, either hot or cold. They thought that 
people who complained about the bad water, drank too 
little of it. Second, these wise people thought it to be 
of great importance to retire early, and have no " late 
nights," under any circumstances whatever, and eat 
moderately, and plenty of fruit early in the morning. 
I thought this explanation to be very reasonable, and 
am inclined to believe that this is the right mode of liv- 
ing in all such climates. Our good missionary brethren 
might learn from it, and I expect to take it to heart for 



IN SOUTH AMEKICA. 93 

my own benefit. One more point seemed clear to me, 
— such was the moral condition of the people here, 
that no one man or woman seemed to be free from the 
danger of being slandered. Purity of life seems to be 
regarded as impossible on the Isthmus, and any one pre- 
tending to it is an object of ridicule. It may then be 
considered a hard field for a missionary, as the people 
seem not to hesitate to fling dirt on even a representa- 
tive of the Church of the living God. Now Bro. Bird- 
sail was married, and a peculiarly fit man for such a 
field ; with a sweet, amiable temper. I don't think I 
ever heard Bro. B. shout, or manifest much by outward 
demonstrations ; but I could read the joy of his soul in 
every feature of his face and every look of his eye, and 
so no doubt could others. The enemies of the Cross of 
course tried their hand ; but they could always behold 
with their own eyes that the dirt thrown fell off. It 
did not stick. On the whole, it seemed to me that only 
the most holy. God-fearing man, would and ought to 
work here, and that it certainly required great wisdom 
to work in this field. And not only so, but that in re- 
gard to the climate the same wisdom must be used in 
order to properly divide the time for work, or many 
precious lives may be sacrificed, and comparatively 
little accomplished. Now, those people who have fol- 
lowed secular business, and have lived here for two or 
three years, find it absolutely necessary to change cli- 



94 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

mate for, say two months, every year. By as little work 
as possible, and very careful living, as above described, 
the wear and tear of the system is very great. Now, 
would it not be wise for missionaries and societies send- 
ing out men into this field, to remember this ? I do 
not know whether it is wise, under our self-supporting 
plans, to occupy such a field, where we shall probably 
be compelled to bring a missionary home once every 
year ; or, in many cases of sickness or death, to renew 
the outlay for passage money, which might be used to 
send men and women to other more healthy parts of 
South America, where workers are so much needed; 
yet, when I look at the wretchedness and the sinful 
condition of those residing here, I am asking myself 
the question. How can we give up the field? It should 
be cared for. Am I prepared to say. It falls to the lot 
of the " Taylor Mission " ? May God in His love spare 
our man, and our men, who should be called to labor 
here? 

The trip across the Isthmus was delightful. The 
train proceeding comparatively slow, I was enabled 
to take in the beautiful scenery that presented itself to 
my wondering eyes, and nature-loving heart. The veg- 
etation in this region is something wonderful. How- 
ever, the low parts, consisting of marshy swamps, have 
a somewhat melancholy aspect. One would naturally 
think of the hundreds who lost their lives in building 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 95 

this road through this beautiful-looking country, and 
think of the poisonous atmosi)here of this region, which 
otherwise would be a Paradise. So I seemed to be 
enjoying it while passing by, without a desire to even 
linger for a while. Something wanting. 

On the Great Pacific. 

Of Panama I saAV nothing. I hurried on to the wharf, 
where the steam-tug was waiting to receive passengers, 
and to take us on board the Oroya^ for the South Pa- 
cific. The captain we found to be a very pleasant man, 
an American. Capt. Hall was the only American in 
the employ of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, 
and was the commodore of the fleet of that company, 
which consisted of about eighty steamers. We were 
well cared for. Being deck passengers, we put up a 
sort of tent on deck, the captain kindly furnishing us 
with the necessary canvas for that purpose. The weath- 
er was quite warm, and we enjoyed the trip to Callao, 
Peru, exceedingly. The beauty of the entrance of the 
Guayaquil River, and all the way up to the cit}^ — was 
delightful, and I thought it surpassed anything that I 
had ever seen before. There was not a ripple on the 
waters of the wide bay at the entrance of the river, 
and not a breeze stirred the air ; and as the eye would 
pass over the soft surface of the waters, I could see, now 
and then, large pelicans plunge from a height into the 



96 SIX YEAPvS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

water about the sliii"), and in the distance, catching iish, 
in which they succeeded admirably. Then, as the ship 
took her course toward the city, the shores on either 
side drew nearer, and sometimes we would run so close 
to the banks of the river, that by some effort one might 
leap on shore. Both sides of the river are lined with 
beautiful meadows and well-stocked farms. Large or- 
ange orchards appeared, and trees covered with beauti- 
ful blossoms, and flowers of many colors. The cattle 
seemed very small, but well fed. Guayaquil is consid- 
ered very unhealthy during the rainy season, but the in- 
terior is not only naturall}^ grand, but also very healthy. 
We stopped only a few hours in the harbor, and then, 
bemg once more privileged to watch the scenes described 
fade out of sight, we soon reached Callao. 

The coast south of Guayaquil presented a very sad 
face, — not a shrub ; nothing of all that gladdened our 
hearts in the way of scenery which we were accustomed 
to see almost anywhere where I had been travelling be- 
fore. A great desert of sand, stretching from here, all 
the way down to Callao, and farther south, as far as Val- 
paraiso, and even a little south of that city. Leaving 
Callao we reached Mollenda. There I visited the Rev. 
Magnus Smith and wife, two of William Taylor's people 
who had arrived there only a short time ago, and had 
not yet gotten fairly under way. At Iquique we found 
the Kev. John CoUyer, who had just opened a school, 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 97 

and also preacLed on Sundays to tlie English residents. 
He was getting along well. " Plentiful," Bro. C. said, 
was the support he received financially, but the place 
was a hotbed of sin. " Drink is the general crime in 
this city," he said, " but by the hel^^ of God we will 
go on." His sister was on board with us as a cabin 
passenger. She had come out to help her brother in 
the work. 

Next we met Rev. Bro. Higgins at Coquimbo, doing 
a good work there, and travelling several circuits. 

The First Money Eaened in Chili. 

Bro. Hoffman and myself received there from Bro. 
Higgins the first money earned by him on South 
American soil. Bro. Higgins said: "Take that — 
you will need it down South. The Lord provides 
us here with all I need, and," and, added he, " if only 
the people vfould be as willing to give their hearts to 
Christ as they are to give their money ! But," he said, 
he had had " a number of conversions, and a splendid 
Sunday-school." 

I was pleased to find our dear people so bright-looking 
and courageous. Several of the workers were stationed 
in inland towns, and these, of course, I could not see, 
— such as Rev. J. P. Gilliland and wife, at the Lobos 
Islands, among the shipping ; Prof. Humphrey and wife 
at Tacna, and Rev. L. Smith and wife at Copiapo. All 



98 SIX YEAES Y/ITH WILLIAM TAYLOIl 

these, however, I heard were doing well, and being en- 
tirely supported by the people among whom they lab- 
ored. These reports, together with what I was able to 
see of the workers and the people, encouraged me very 
much, and my heart rejoiced to know that thus God 
was dealing with His missionaries. 

Bro. Smith Preaches to the Natives. 

Bro. Smith, of Copiapo, I was told, although then only 
a few months in this country, was already preaching to 
the natives ; first writing his sermons and then reading 
them to his congregation, and he expected in a few 
months more to so master the language as to be able to 
take up that work in earnest, and establish a church. 
Amen and glory to God ! I would say from the heart. 
God bless the dear brethren in that great desert of Ata- 
cama, and make it a spiritual Eden. 

Much strengthened in spirit and body, I arrived in 
Valparaiso, on the fifth of January, 1879, where I had 
to lay over for another steamer to take me to my field, 
a few hundred miles further south, near the borders of 
Patagonia, where are several large German colonies. 
While waiting in Valparaiso, I was invited by Dr. T., 
of the Union Church, to preach on Sunday evening. 
The doctor has a fine church, aud the better class of 
the foreign population are his principal supporters. He 
has been working here for the last thirty-five years, and 



IN" SOUTH AMEHICA. 99 

working much to distribute Spanish tracts and Bibles 
among the natives, to which end, also, a Bible Society 
has been called into life, which does great good all over 
the land. I also found a Presbyterian brother laboring 
among the natives exclusively, in school work and di- 
rect Gospel work. This brother had a short time ago 
bought the German church, which was sold by them to 
" quit the business," with hymn-books, etc. 

While I preached at the doctor's church, Bro. Hoff- 
mann had invited the Germans to hear him. I under- 
stand they turned out well, and it appeared that they 
only desired a godly preacher, and the work might be 
taken up again and carried to success. 



CHAPTER V. 

ON THE BOEDEES OF NOETHEEN PATAGONIA. 

OuE orders were to go to the soutli, and accordingly 
we prepared for the start. Before startmg, however, 
we learned that the Gustav-Adolph Society, of Ger- 
many, had taken up the field south, and had sent two 
ministers, one to Osorno and the other to Puerto Montt, 
supplying at the same time a colony of a hundred fam- 
ilies, living at the Lake Llanquihue, situated about 
twelve miles inland, north of Puerto Montt. This 
somewhat perplexed us, and we changed our plans for 
operation somewhat, and we thought it wise, as Val- 
divia, a German settlement of about three thousand 
persons, alone was left unprovided, and Bro. Hoffmann, 
being a married man, should go to that city instead of 
myself, and I to proceed to the province of Llanquihue, 
and, if possible, make arrangements with the Lutheran 
pastor in charge of the Lake district, that I might 
take up that work at the Lake, which I thought quite 
enough work for one man, if he wishes to do his duty. 

The day for departure drew near, and we embarked 
for Yaldivia and Puerto Montt. Yaldivia had been de- 
scribed to me as a modern Sodom and Gomorrah. 
100 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 101 

Thirty years ago this colony had been founded, and 
never, since that time, had they agreed to any arrange^ 
ment to have the Gospel preached to them, and in these 
latter years expressed themselves to this effect, that 
they were glad to be without a preacher, as the cities 
of Osorno and Puerto Montt stood for a warning to 
them, because of the contention and strife among the 
people since the pastor from Germany had come to these 
settlements. I do not know how far true this is. Since 
laboring here, I am sorry to say, the people of Valdivia 
are not so much to be blamed for this excuse on these 
grounds. The people of Valdivia did not even get 
their children baptized, with the exception of a very 
few families, who had sent to Osorno, the place nearest 
them, to have the ordinance performed. Osorno can 
be reached from Valdivia in two days, on horseback. 

To this field Bro. H. decided to go, and there to pitch 
his tent. Bro. Hoffmann is a precious brother, and full 
of faith and the Holy Ghost. Praise the Lord ! I 
never saw Bro. H. when he did not sing or praise 
the Lord with all his heart, and from the heart, and 
very seldom when he did not have a soul either by the 
hand or kneeling on the floor ; and I felt that if any 
man would be blessed of God, it might be he. We 
separated at Valdivia — " the city of lager beer " - . 
the Vanity Fair of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, in the 
fullest sense of the word. 



l02 six years with william taylor 

Landing on the Field of Battle. 

The following clay I landed at Puerto Montt. The 
navigation between the numerous islands of Chiloe is 
somewhat dangerous ; but what a sight for the traveler ! 
It is the archipelego of the Pacific. The pleasure of 
this trip surpasses all description, and I could only say : 
" Come and see." The inhabitants of these islands are 
poor but good-natured half-breeds, and excellent farm 
hands. The south and north of Chili are supplied with 
laborers from these islands. The Romish priests have 
done more for these people than perhaps for any other 
on the terra firma of Chili and the entire West Coast. 
Most of these people can read and write. But of course 
they are terribly superstitious, and never read any other 
books except such as are given them by the priest, 
and only those of lowest order. 

Leaving the steamer I went at once to the hotel, and 
gave myself wholly up to prayer. How I longed for a 
few days of seclusion after so long a sea-voyage ! I 
wanted to be alone with God, — my soul was craving 
for God, to see Him alone, when no one was near to dis- 
turb or observe. I felt so peaceful, and I could commit 
myself and all into His hands, and talk with Him who 
had thus guided me. Li my room I stood alone, but I 
knew God was with me. There was no invitation to a 
revival, with such an outlook as I had been accustomed 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 103 

to at home, — not just in the same way ; but was it not 
the same Jesus, the same blessed promise beneath me ? 
Was the promise not the same to me to-day as ever, 
that " every place where my foot shall tread upon, had 
been given unto me," and that " As I was with Moses, 
so shall I be with thee" (Joshua i.) ? Ah, yes ! the text 
was applied, and, bless the Lord ! my soul looked up to 
the Mighty to Save, and for that cause I bowed my 
knees there and then, and there the Lord talked with 
me. 

My Fikst GERikiAx Sermon. 

In a few hours the whole village knew that I had ar- 
rived, and that I was a preacher, and very soon some 
one knocked at my door, and a kind-hearted, good- 
natured German stepped in and invited me to preach in 
the school-house "to-morrow," (this being Saturday). 
The good man told me that the pastor, Mr. S., had 
gone to the lake, and would stay there a few weeks, as 
he did four times every year, during which time he bap- 
tized and confirmed the children, and preached on the 
Sabbath. I consented at once that I would preach. 
Then I tried to find out all about the work in the town, 
and in the province; and by the time the man got 
through, I could look upon myself as a kind of intruder, 
although I could plainly see that the Lutheran brother 
could never do all the work that was to be done in the 
province of Llanquihue, nor that any two men could do 



104 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

justice to the demands of the field ; but I well under- 
stood tlie German clergy, and I betook myself to earnest 
prayer and meditation, that I might have wisdom to act 
wisely in the matter ; and, after prayer, I concluded to 
start out on Monday and meet Mr. S. at the Lake, where 
lie now was, preaching. This was to be the first step. 

It being somewhat late, I dismissed my German lands- 
man, and prepared for bed. I had not talked so much 
German for six years as I had been compelled to this 
evening, and I found that it Avas hard for me. '' How 
peculiar," I thought: "a full-blooded Dutchman, and 
almost forgotten his mother tongue ! " I wondered how 
it would be in the morning, to preach to the people. I 
had never preached in the German language — had 
never in my life handled a German Bible, nor a theo- 
logical book in that language. My head began to turn 
on its axis, and I gave up thought, and fell sweetly 
asleep in Jesus' arms of love. 

The morning came, and with it the certainty that I 
had to face a German congregation, for the first time 
since I was in the service of my Master. I felt the per- 
spiration starting through the pores of the skin about 
the forehead. It was different from that feeling which 
I often experienced before preaching to a congregation, 
and especially when persons are present who, I think, 
are so much better than myself, or know how to preach 
better than myself, or some such awkward feeling. 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 105 

This was quite a new experience. But I was still more 
confounded when I took up my German Bible and tried 
to think "in German," and at last, walking up and 
down in mj room, tried to talk and get at it in that 
way ; but the best I could do was simply to break out 
in laughing aloud at myself, and throwing myself 
across the bed and laughing until I could laugh no 
more. But I made another manly effort : it was sim- 
ply ridiculous. The hour for preaching drew near, and 
I grew strangely serious. I then began to cry and weep 
and pray, and then it came to me that I had been real 
foolish, and it seemed to whisper, " What are you fret- 
ting about ? " That put me to shame, and I felt that I 
blushed. I then took my English Bible, selected my 
text, " Naaman the Syrian," laid it down, and taking 
my German Bible, started for the school-house, where 
the people were already waiting, and had thronged the 
place. I went, simply trusting that God would fill my 
mouth, and placing myself, limber-like, in His hands, I 
now had rest ; and with a peaceful mind and leaning 
pretty hard on the Master, I read my lesson and pro- 
nounced my text, and then came the preaching. 

I think I shall never forget that hour. It seemed 
that I must have always been preaching in German. 
I was blessed, and evidently the people were blessed ; 
but one came to me and said : " Mr. K., you several 
times used entire English words, which I could not 



106 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

make out." All rigiit ! Praise the Lord ! The ice 
was broken, and after all there was no giant to scare 

me. 

The Colony on Lake Llanquihtje. 

The following morning a German came and offered 
me a horse to ride to the Lake, and while preparing for 
tliis, my first journey in Chili on terra firma, alettei from 
the pastor was handed to me, in which he invited me to 
meet him at a certain station at the Lake, from whence 
we would proceed to Osorno, to meet the pastor sta- 
tioned there, and have a conference together, and see 
what arrangements could be made between us. Now, 
this looked encouraging, and sounded like business. So 
after another precious talk with Jesus, I started, and 
being mounted on a spirited little Indian pony, and ac- 
companied by a German guide, we soon reached the 
Lake. On the way out I stopped at nearly every house, 
greeting the people, reading Scripture, and praying be- 
fore leaving the house. These poor people had never 
seen any such proceedings, and I saw they had been en- 
tirely neglected. Many a warm grasp of the hand I 
felt, and many a tear glistening in the eyes of the older 
members of the different households. From this one 
visit new life and new hopes seemed to have been re- 
vived, and this journey was a blessed one to me and to 
all. Yet I felt the contest for the possession of that 
field would be hard, but God could give us the victory. 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 107 

From this out our road became very rough — narrow 
paths, up and down hill, through numberless rivers and 
little streams, mud-holes, and closely-edging steep pre- 
cipices. Every half hour we found a colonist, either 
working near his house, or, with his peones, cutting 
down the dense forests, and burning the dried branches 
and trunks of trees, getting the soil ready for the re- 
ception of wheat. I saw splendid cattle and sheep and 
horses in abundance, and all the colonists, without any 
exception, seemed to do well. 

How My Landsmen Live. 
The people were very kind and friendly. In every 
place they insisted that I should dismount, and either 
drink milk or wheat coffee, and eat black bread and 
German sausage. It seemed hard to refuse, and yet I 
could not make them believe that I was full " to split," 
but what should I do, even though I had to wait in one 
house and see how the good lady of the house emptied 
a bowl of dirty soap-water, and filling it with good beef 
soup, placed it before me, and delivered her lecture on 
the quality of the sou^^ in most eloquent style ? I had 
better keep the secret to myself. I was struck with 
the untidiness of most of those farmers about the Lake ; 
things looked wild in many a household, and they 
seemed to take no pleasure in cleanliness and reasonable 
comfort. They might all have enjoyed both. How- 



108 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

ever, they were glad when I read from the Bible to 
them, and prayed with them. I had the pleasure of 
meeting an Englishman, who owned a farm here. He 
had come over from Australia with a wife and five chil- 
dren, and bought this farm, and was doing very well. 
Plis wife I found to be a thorough Christian woman, 
but very sick. She had been confined to her bed for 
several years, yet she rejoiced in the Lord. She also 
tried to train her children in that way. The boys were 
grown, but were not Christians ; the girls were like 
their mother. 

After a day's ride on horseback, we had reached, late 
in the evening, a whiskey distillery, and my guide told 
me that here we must stay over night, and take up the 
road on to-morrow, and that we would meet the pastor, 
Mr. S., by to-morrow noon. I did not like the idea of 
lodging at thi§ distillery very much. The room was 
filled with colonists, and a great deal of. beer and whis- 
key was drank, and of course*! was invited on every 
hand to partake of the cup. I pitied these poor people, 
when I noticed the looks of astonishment at my stout 
leTusal, and on cigars being offered I did the 
same. The people could not understand this at all. 
When I gave them my reasons for not drinking beer 
and not smoking cigars, they felt inclined to respect me 
for my total abstinence ; but thought it was a great 
pity, as their pastor knew how to enjoy both these 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 100 

things, tliey said. When, after a while, I had to refuse 
to play cards, they thought me to be "holy " — an aw- 
ful thing among them. On the whole, they had never 
seen such a person before, especially a clergyman, who 
would not drink, nor smoke, nor play cards. I noticed 
the dear people were stumbling over it; and thinking 
it was time to explain somewhat of the reason of the 
hope that was in me, I began to tell them some- 
thing about the eleventh commandment. That did 
its work, and they seemed to see the expediency of my 
mode of life from that standpoint, better than if I had 
brought up all the arguments in the world to prove my 
point. And when I added the testimony as to what 
Jesus did for me, they sat in silence, with open ears and 
ej'es, and in the eyes of some of the older members of 
the company one could see the tears. These arose by 
and by, shook my hand, and said : " Tliis did me good," 
and silently separated from the company, and went their 
way home. I was much pleased with this little inter- 
view with some of the people, who, I hoped, would be 
my hearers in the near future. 

Early the next morning my guide and I were on our 
way to Punto de los Chamchos, — called so from the 
formation of a neck of land running out into the lake, 
resembling a "pig's head," and there, at a farmer's 
house, Mr. S. was waiting for me. It did not take us 
as long as I had thought. The horses were rested, and 



110 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

the road considerably better, so we reached our desti- 
nation about 10.30 A. M. 

The farmer, a sturdy, friendly-looking German, met 
me at the door, and was evidently glad to see me ; next 
came out wife, daughter, and son, — all seemed to be 
glad to welcome me to their home ; last of all came my 
brother pastor. The reception was cold and entirely 
formal. However, I was not disappointed. I under- 
stood a young man had come over from the distillery, 
early this morning, a few hours before me, and had an- 
nounced my coming ; also giving a report of what he 
had seen and heard there. 

The New Idea, — "A Holy Mak.^' 

The reverend gentleman had made up his mind to 
the fact that I must be a " holy man," and received me 
accordingly. Very little was said during the day, 
my friend trying very hard to impress me with the 
fact that he was " lording it " over the people, and he 
was a great deal more learned than they were ; which I, 
however, never disputed for a moment ; and also with 
the certainty that he could smoke more cigars and drink 
more beer than I could. The evening in the room was 
spent in relating something about my late travels, and 
gathering information respecting this country, and the 
colony in particular. The smoke from the Dutch pipes 
of my two friends — the farmer and the parson — 



IN SOUTH AlVIEEICA. Ill 

threatened to suffocate me; but I stood it in good 
grace, and had no complaints to make. But when every 
bit of pure air had been most effectually excluded from 
the low room, the good parson offered me a Havana, 
which was promptly refused, and I turned to wipe my 
"weexoing eyes." There was not much emotion, but 
the smoke bit my eyes terribly. I noticed soon that 
this cigar had been smiply offered to test the truthful- 
ness of this morning's messenger. I had, up to the 
time, carefully avoided any signs of disapproval as to 
the proceedings of the evening, and the German parson 
could not hold in any longer — he must satisfy his curi- 
osity, and see for liimself whether the report concern- 
ing me was true or not. I was then called upon to give 
a reason for my moderation, and in the most charitable 
way I told these two men the story of love, — of course, 
understanding that I dealt with two blind men, and 
sick at that, I dealt cautiously, and in the most loving 
way, — about as the doctor would make castor oil go 
down easy, — only T could not help the effect. 

First Sigxs of Opposition. 

I felt exceedingly sorry when I saw I had made my- 
self obnoxious to my friend, the parson. But I beheve 
he felt more hurt that I knew my sins forgiven, than at 
anything else. He knew I would not join in his way of 
" passing away time," — a fashionable term used by some 



112 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

of the clergy and laity now-a-clays, — a sort-of a " sheep- 
skin " suit, of course it is calculated to deceive : it is n't 
sheepskin after all, it 's only a whitewash, and used to 
paint over "sore spots," and makes those using the 
stuff only look worse. Poor deluded creatures ! God 
have mercy on poor sinners, and the blind leading the 
blind. 

The following morning my guide returned to his 
home, and mounting fresh iKU'ses, Mr. S. and myself left 
our hospitable friends and journeyed towards Osorno. 
We could not reach it in one day, so we stopped over 
night at an inn, on the extreme northern shore of the 
lake. Several children were baptized there, and I made 
the acquaintance of nearly all the farmers in that neigh- 
borhood, for the Germans are very fond of spending 
their evenings at the inn, and do n't mind walking or 
riding for hours to reach it ; but more especially when 
the parson is announced to be there, as he was very 
fond of talking about cattle, beer, tobacco, and family 
affairs. The only good that I could see was done in 
those gatherings, was that they did their quarrelling 
and fighting at the inn, insteadofaggrevating their poor, 
hard-worked wives and children at home. 

Their Forlorn Condition. 

But those poor never-dying souls were left uncared 
for. Oh, how my heart yearned after them ! but I had 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 113 

seen enougb»to show me tliat the field would be a diffi- 
cult one; but, also, that preaching Christ crucified 
would finally reach the people. They seemed to be to- 
tally ignorant of the fact that Jesus Christ came into 
the world to actually save from sin, and that it was ob- 
ligatory to search the Scriptures to derive from them 
saving knowledge. I found these poor people had nev- 
er been disturbed, and on that ground I had some hope. 
Give them a fair chance, and they will seek the Saviour 
of the world. I felt from that hour that God had laid 
these precious souls upon my heart, and in His name I 
would go and preach the word of life. Many of the 
children of these colonists I found, who had grown up 
without religious training, and in, oh, how many cases ! 
had not even learned to read or write ; and some of such 
had only just married, and in either case, as to the man 
or the woman, I found this to be a sad fact. If the 
condition of these was bad, what would in turn become 
of their children ? I did not wonder when the pastor 
himself informed me, as we rode on the next morning, 
that it was quite common among the people at the Lake, 
that sons and daughters would abuse and maltreat their 
old parents, having no respect for them. But alas ! he 
himself had never become acquainted with Jesus, and 
how could he lead this people ? 

I talked much with God that day, as we went on our 
way to Osorno, and entertained but little hope that the 



114 SIX YEAP.S WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

man stationed there would be a different man, but felt 
I might be opposed by them, and the way should be 
closed against me to work at the Lake. My love for 
that people had already been kindled, and I was burn- 
ing to bring to them the word of Christ, and through it 
make them acquainted with a purer and truly noble 
life, and with a conscious indwelling holiness. 

After a ride of six hours, partly through dense for- 
ests, which I could not help but compare with the 
finest tropical forests, and in parts with an Indian jun- 
gle, we reached Osorno, a place where about 1500 Ger- 
mans live. It had the appearance of thrift, and I un- 
derstood the extensive cattle raising in these parts, and 
the large tanneries, gave the place a name in the south- 
ern parts of Chili. However, the number of breweries 
and whiskey distilleries astonished me. The Germans 
here have a large school and a neat little chapel. I 
was soon introduced to the Rev. Mr. R., the preacher 
in charge, and also director of the school. I found him 
a very pleasant man, who received me warmly, and his 
kindness was genuine. I felt much encouraged, and 
hojjed that matters would be satisfactorily arranged. 
We chatted on general subjects a few hours, and then 
we separated for the evening, in order to rest and re- 
fresh ourselves with sleep, and to meet in the morning 
of the following day for conference. There was no 
family altar in the house, and we left for our rooms 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 115 

without praying together. This did not impress me 
favorably ; and being alone, I poured out my heavy but 
trustful heart to my God. I thought of Bro. Hoffmann, 
whom I had left at Yaldivia, and almost envied him for 
his position; and I remembered the words of an old 
man' whom I met on his farm, at the Lake, who said, 
taking hold of my hand, and with tears in his eyes : " I 
wish you had come to us twenty years ago, before any 
other man began to preach here." Perhaps he was 
right. I truly believe that Christless ministers of the 
Gospel, who are not witnesses, do incalculable harm, 
both at home, and more especially, in mission fields. 
" I have called thee to be a minister and a witness." I 
like that word which came directly down from heaven. 
God does not want any ministers unless they are wit- 
nesses to the cleansing and purifying power of the blood 
of Jesus, for how can I lead souls nearer to God than I 
am myself? God make me to be a swift witness while I 
remain on earth, or else blot me out of the book of the 
ministry ! 

A CONFEEENCE. 

Much refreshed after so much riding on horseback, I 
arose in the morning, and after my morning Scripture 
lesson and a sweet talk with Jesus, I met the two Luth- 
eran pastors in the study. I at once set to work and 
told them what I had come for, and that I thought Bro. 
S. had a great deal of work on hand, and if agreeable, 



116 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAINI TAYLOR 

I sliould, with the help of God, go to work among the 
people at the Lake colony, as I thought the pastoral 
hurried visits of four times in the year could never do 
justice to the wants of the people. I freely spoke out 
my impressions which I had received during my trip 
and by conversing with the people, with due respect, 
giving credit to the work that had been attempted by 
Mr. S. Bro. R. seconded all that I had to say. He 
said he knew the people, and had often thought they 
should be better cared for ; but that it was impossible 
for either one of them to do them justice, the distance 
being so great, and the colonists much scattered. He 
thought that a preacher should be stationed at the Lake, 
and furthermore he felt to congratulate Mr. S. upon my 
arrival, as he thought, just in time, and that my coming 
was of God. What Mr. R. said was thoroughly evan- 
gelical, and I liked the man very much, as I thought he 
had at least good feeling towards the people, and that 
he was more liberal than his colleague, who had all this 
time said nothing. When his turn came he raised many 
objections. Lie thought that I was too strict, and that 
his people at the Lake would never agree with me. In 
fact, he feared everything for me that he could think of. 
Yes, perhaps I thought he had good reason to fear, and 
I felt for him. It took a great deal of persuasion on 
the part of my evangelical friend, and at last he yielded, 
but reluctantly. I did not exactly like it much, to see 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 117 

that his heart was not in it ; but I hoped the man 
might be brought to see for himself. My position was, 
however, at best, not one that I much desired ; but 
what could I do ? The Lord had some work for me to 
do here, and He would stand by me ; so everything was 
committed to God, and I was determined to go on. 

The remainder of the day I spent in visiting some of 
the families in the town, and had precious experiences. 
In one house a young lady was brought under convic- 
tion for sin, and I believed the Lord would convert her. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK IN THE COLONIES. 

I STAYED only a few days in the place, and then hur- 
ried back to the Lake, to take up my work at once. I 
visited now from house to house, reading Scripture and 
praying with the people. The results in many instances 
were most gratifying, and I saw that the Lord did a 
wonderful work of conviction for sin. Although they 
seemed to be so ignorant of Biblical truth, yet they un- 
derstood the testimony concerning an " every-day 
Christ ; and illustrating Scripture by personal experi- 
ence, brought on the deep conviction for sin, and a 
burning desire to receive the same blessing of pardon 
followed. Li every home I received a most hearty wel- 
come — plenty to eat and a good feather-bed, as well as 
guides and fast horses, without paying for them. The 
two ministers in Osorno had told me that my support 
would be rather a slim affair, as the people at the Lake 
had pledged themselves for three years to raise a cer- 
tain sum every year to help support the work at Puerto 
Montt, of which place Mr. S. was the pastor, and with- 
out which support the mission at Puerto Montt could 
not get along. Mr. S., in yielding up the field to me, 
118 



IK SOUTH AMERICA. 119 

would not let that part of the arrangement with the 
people slip, and thought that he would still now and 
then visit the people and baptize their children, and 
that if I could get a support among them outside of 
that, I should go on. Of course I agreed to that, and 
hoped that the Lord would open my way, and I would 
trust Him for my daily bread and clothing. 

There were no less than from five to six whiskey dis- 
tilleries around the Lake, and the owners of these mills 
were getting alarmed, and tried to hinder the work, and 
they found a man — the pastor of Puerto Montt — who 
now began to work against me with every possible 
means at his command. He knew I was a Methodist. 
Papers from Germany, such as were always full of slurs 
against that denomination, were imported and scattered 
among the people, and especially those who had a name 
among the colonists. I soon had those who held the 
money, and were able to buy up the wheat and the cat- 
tle, all against me, and there were hot fights every day. 
In the midst of all these oppositions, however, the Lord 
converted souls. Some found peace, and it stirred the 
neighborhood tremendously, and some of the people be- 
came almost infuriated against the work, being constant- 
ly fed with bad reports concerning the Methodists. But 
just then one of the whiskey distillers seemed to be 
friendly disposed, and offered me the free use of a house 
that was unoccupied at the time. I accepted the offer, 



120 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

and took good courage, working hard every day, con- 
stantly visiting from house to house, and praying and 
preaching whenever an opportunity offered itself. The 
people were wonderfully wrought upon, and some were 
mad. 

After thus laboring for a few months, I visited Osor- 
no, and had an interview with the pastor. He had 
heard all about the mad persecutions instigated by Mr. 
S., and had already written to him; but thought it 
would help nothing. Mr. S. had taken his stand against 
me, and now he would not yield in any point. Mr. S. 
had told him that the people turned crazy, and that the 
peace of the colony was much disturbed. I did not 
doubt it a moment. The devil had held sway at the 
Lake these many years, and now began to kick, — the 
only hopeful sign for their souls, and, thanks be to God, 
some few had found the Saviour. 

The Fiest Conveet. 

I did some visiting in the town before I left, and 
found the young German lady mentioned before, trust- 
ing in the Saviour. Soon after I had left Osorno, after 
my first visit, she had found peace. It luas the first con- 
vert in my ivork in South America. Praise the Lord ! 
She seemed wonderfully gifted in prayer, and manifested 
a child-like faith in the new-found Saviour. On my 
way back to the Lake, I made an arrangement with 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 121 

some of the people, who coiikl not send their children 
to school because of the distance they had to go, that I 
would start a school at my house for boys and girls, and 
make arrangements to board and lodge them, provided 
that the parents furnish the bedding and a certain 
amount of flour or wheat and potatoes, and such veg- 
etables as would be necessary and convenient, to be sent 
each month in a boat across the Lake, to where I lived. 
They liked the idea, and I gave them a flxed time to 
think over it, and send me the names of the children, 
and the day when they should be sent. On my arrival 
home, I found a letter, which I recognized to be one 
from Bro. Hoffman ; but to my great surprise, read that 
he had just arrived at Puerto Montt, and that he had 
been compelled to leave Valdivia. My first object was 
to hurry on to Puerto Montt, and see what all this 
meant, for I hardly knew where to put Bro. H., when I 
knew he could not be supported here. 

I met him, full of faith and the Holy Ghost, yet sor- 
rowful that Valdivia had to be given up. He had suf- 
fered terribly there. He and dear Sister H. had been 
shamefully slandered, and in every conceivable way 
persecuted, until at last, although reluctantly, the place 
was given up. • 

Bro. H. had called a meeting at the school-house, ir 
order to talk to the people and make some arrangement 
for his remaining in the city. Many came, exclusively 



122 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

men, bringing with them tlieir long German pipes, and 
sufficient tobacco and cigars to iill, in a sliort time, the 
room witli smoke, to suffocation, and keeping up loud 
talking and such a noise that Bro. H. never had a chance 
to speak ; and although he asked those present to lend 
him an ear, they did not regard him. In fact, the men, 
to all intent, purposed to drive out Bro. Hoffman. 
Nothing could be accomplished, and Bro. H. left the 
room with a heavy heart ; however, not intending to 
give up the struggle so soon, they found a friendly fam- 
ily with whom they lived a short time, and the enemies 
of the Cross not being satisfied with their work of per- 
secuting Bro. H., turned upon all those who came in 
friendly contact with him, and their anger was kin- 
dled against those who had taken Bro. H. and wife to 
their house. Most shameful reports were spread con- 
cerning them, and at last they were compelled to ask 
Bro. Hoffman to leave the house. Bro. H. did all he 
could to remain and get a footing, but it seemed the 
Lord permitted these things. The people of Valdivia 
had an offer of salvation, and this time rejected it. 

Bro. H., without first writing to me about his inten- 
tions of coming to Puerto Montt, started at once, and 
thus we met again. On the south side of the Lake, the 
Lord had raised us up a friend, who offered to Bro. Hoff- 
man a small house which was not in use at the time, and 
told him to live there as long as he liked, and he would 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 123 

not charge liim anything for rent. So it was decided 
that Bro. H. should move to tlie Lake, and do whatever 
the Lord might have for him to do, — truly the harvest 
was ripe and the laborers but few. I returned to my 
post as soon as I had seen Bro. IL and wife sheltered, 
and I found that about six children had applied for 
admission to the school. It was a beginning, and 
I hoped the dear children would become true Christians, 
and I would have the means of a subsistence, and the 
Gospel take healthy root in the soil, and spread more 
and more in the neighborhood; and the same time 
thought Bro. H. would do the same. 

Taken Peisoneb. 

Before opening my school, I again started for Osorno, 
but this time on a more important errand, and a little 
different from the first. I had felt for some little time 
previous that some time or other I would have to take 
an important step toward settling down in life, and form 
a household of my own. After much prayer on the 
subject, I decided to take the step, and humbly asked 
God to bless me in the selection of my future partner 
in life. The one whom the Lord had given me as the 
first-fruit of my labors in Chili, I had selected, and I felt 
I loved her so dearly that I could ask her to become nij 
wife. I cannot tell how I felt when journeying to the 
place, which contained what, next to God, and the souls 



124 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

of the lost, I loved most on earth ; but I do know what 
I felt when, taking her hand, I asked her to become my 
wife, and when she said '' I will." But I propose to 
keep it all to myself, what I then felt. 

In the evening I received an invitation from father 
and mother, and soon we all met in the happy family 
circle. Both parents blessed us, and then we knelt in 
prayer to receive the Heavenly Father's blessing, which 
was richly bestowed upon us all. The aged mother 
then said: "I have eight sons, but this is the only 
daughter; we love each other much; but take her. 
You are a man of God, and I need say no more. I 
shall rest." In two weeks after this event, we were 
united in holy matrimony, Bro. Hoffman officiating. 
It was a solemn hour, and God was with us. 

A MissioiTAEY's Pleasant Teip to a Wedding. 

I had gone to the north side of the Lake to meet 
Bro. Hoffman with his wife, and had hired horses to 
take them to Osorno. Bro. H. and his good wife were not 
accustomed to ride much on horseback, and Bro. Hoff- 
man behaved rather awkwardly in the saddle. I called 
his attention to the stirrup and the reins, and he jok- 
ingly remarked that I had better take care of myself ; 
and of course, between us the trip was much enjoyed, 
although I disturbed Bro. Hoffman's mind considerably, 
and complimented him on his excellent (?) horsemanship ; 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 125 

but this all would have been endurable if the poor ani- 
mal had not stumbled " just a little," just then, and 
thrown poor Henry over its head, with force enough to 
send him about fifteen yards ahead, and completely 
rolled up and hid away in his large ponslio — a square 
woollen blanket with an opening in the centre to admit 
the head — thus serving for a mantle, and a good pro- 
tection against dust or rain, — a garment universally 
worn in South America. While the good brother ex- 
tricated himself from his ponsho, I started in another 
direction to pick up his fine tall hat, and yonder the 
cover of the hat-box, and somewhere else the lower 
half of the box. After joining things a bit, and as soon 
as we could quit laughing and scramble into our saddles, 
we started again on our way, rejoicing that no bones 
had been broken, only the brass handle to the hat-box 
missing. All that Bro. H. said was, that he didn't 
know how in the world this could have happened, — in 
fact, he didn't know how he got off the horse. I 
thought I had better not exj)lain, and he did not show 
any resistance. We agreed to say nothing more about 
it, and the horse did not stumble any more. 

We soon reached an inn, and we were glad to rest 
for a short time, and refresh ourselves with some good 
milk, bread, and cheese. 

Half an hour later we had to pass a very bad place 
on the road — a great mud-hole ; but being well ac-' 



126 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

quaintecl in these parts, I took the lead and bade my 
brother and sister follow in the same track. I got across 
ail right, and dismounting, I turned and gave direc- 
tions to the two. Sister Katie followed, but she was 
very timid, and I called to her to take firm hold on the 
saddle with one hand, and with the other the horse's 
mane. The horse was a very gentle little animal, and 
stepped very carefully, drawing out of the mud one leg 
after another, wdiich, however, caused him to lean over 
a little on one side as he walked, and every time Sister 
Katie feared lest she should fall over into the mud. 
The animal was just placing the right foot on terra 
jirma^ when I heard a scream. Sister Katie let go her 
hold and fell right over, backwards, into the mud, head 
first, of course, and almost disappeared beneath the 
troubled waves, — well, not waves either, the mud was 
a little too stiff for that, and it would seem too poetic. 
Really, it was not reminding of anything very poetic, 
when I jumped right after her, while Bro. H. remained 
on his horse like one " struck with an idea," and began 
fishing. Soon our tired horses were standing on firm 
ground, and we did not look pretty, — no, decidedly 
not ; but we were alive, and while helping each other to 
scrape tlie mud off, we did good work biting our lips to 
keep from shouting outright, until we just concluded it 
was no use, and let come what would. Well, we pitied 
'poor Sister Hoffman, and I did my best to comfort her. 



IX SOUTH AMERICA. 127 

and tried to assure her in every way of my sympathy, 
although I did not succeed as well as I wished for. 
Then we tried to make our horses respectable looking, 
but that was rather hard work, and we gave it up. We 
men divested ourselves now of our i^onslios^ and wrap- 
ping them about our sister as well as I could, we then 
rode on, trying to reach Osorno as late as possible, and 
showing no desire for further investigation of the con- 
dition of things along the road ; although a number of 
opportunities were offered. Sister Katie hoped she 
would soon learn to ride, and the comfort of such a 
thought seemed to do her good. 

After spending a week at the house of my father-in- 
law, I departed with my wife to the Lake, put our 
house in order, and now received our pupils. When 
school was opened I had ten children — the youngest 
being twelve years old, and the oldest a girl of twenty- 
two — a native, — all of whom could not read or write. 
There was work to be done, indeed. There were at 
least fifty more of the same age, and not better taught. 
My good wife and I loved our children, and they learned 
well, but we had as yet not received anything to live 
upon; the children had brought the bedding, but 
nothing had come to eat, and for a little time we had 
nothing except what Ave received in direct answer to 
prayer. One day when we had nothing in the house, 
and had nothing to give to the children, and the boats 



128 SIX YEARS AYITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

not being able to come across tlie Lake, as was ex- 
pected, on account of stormy weather, we bowed to 
God in prayer, as we had done so often before, and while 
praying we heard a knock at the door, and opening the 
door we saw a good Bro. K., who had come a distance 
of two hours on horseback, and as he unpacked from 
his saddle-bags a good lot of provisions — a large blad- 
der of butter, a ham, some smoked sausages, and two 
large loaves of bread, and some fruit — he told us that 
in the morning he felt troubled in his heart concerning 
us, and following the impression he thus received, con- 
cluded that he would take with him these things and 
see us. When we told him that we had expected some- 
thing like it, he was much overjoyed, and was glad that 
he had come. 

Support came in very sparingly for Bro. Hoffman, 
and also for us ; but we never lacked anything. Bro. 
H. had a similar experience, and he also received his 
bread in direct answer to prayer. One day we received 
quite a boat-load of provisions from the parents of the 
children we had with us, and it was sufficient for a 
month ; but no money came in from our people here to 
buy us the necessary clothing. But we looked again to 
God, and in a few days we received $200 from some 
friends at Valparaiso — half for Bro. H. 



ln^ south america. 129 

The Convebsion of Ten Cheldeen. 

The work of salvation was going on gloriously among 
our children, and every one of them professed conver- 
sion by this time, and all prayed as the Spirit gave them 
utterance, around the family altar. My wife had re- 
ceived a piano from her father, and she taught the chil- 
dren to sing the sweet songs of Zion, and when the peo- 
ple gathered on the Sabbath for public worship, they 
were much blessed in hearing these new hymns (I had 
translated some from the Moody and Sankey hymns). 
We had received some German hymn-books, wliich Bro. 
Hoflfmann had brought with him from the States. It 
looked now, as far as the school was concerned, as 
though we should succeed. The children could give a 
reason for the hope that was within them, and they 
boldly confessed the Saviour. 

But a storm was brewing. The persecutions from 
the outside were intensifying, and at last the time came 
when certain parties had so far succeeded as to cause 
some of my patrons to take their cliildren from the 
school. The poor children would cry, and lament, and 
they would not quit singing their beautiful hymns, nor 
would they neglect their prayers ; and a cry arose that 
the children were being led astray, and away from the 
old religion of the church. Times of great trial came 
upon us, and for a time the sky seemed very dark ; but 



130 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

in these seasons of affliction the Saviour never deserted 
ns; we felt His presence more than ever; and then, 
when the time came that we felt the work had better 
cease, we did not understand it, but we would follow 
Jesus and He should lead us. We had at last only 
three children, and oh, how hard it seemed to part from 
them ! We felt as though they were our own ; but they 
said : " We will not forget or deny Jesus, and we '11 tell 
olir parents about Jesus when we get home." So we 
sent them away to their homes, wliile my wife, with 
myself, prepared to visit Bro. Hoffman, in order that 
we might take counsel as to what was best to do. It 
was clear to my mind that one of us would have to 
leave the field. Bro. H. had passed through similar ex- 
periences ; but it was decided, he having no relatives in 
this country, that he should remain at the post, wliile I 
concluded to go to Osorno and remain at my father-in- 
law's, and await answer from Valparaiso as to an open- 
ing there for a lasting work in which to finally establish 
ourselves and do work for God, if the people wanted us. 
Bro. Hoffman and I made another visiting tour 
around the Lake, and we met with blessed success. 

A Roman Catholic Fainiily Converted to God. 

Visiting a Roman Catholic family where the Lord 
had, through Bro. H., converted the daughter, we found 
the mother, father, and a son, under conviction for sin. 



IK SOUTH AIVIEIIICA. 131 

They invited us to stay over night. We acce2)ted the 
invitation, and God wonderfully blessed our visit to 
that house. While kneeling in prayer, the mother 
could not hold back any longer, and after her daughter 
had prayed for her dear father and brother and mother, 
she burst out ill tears, and making her humble confes- 
sion to God, accepted the Saviour to be her Saviour 
from sin. Bro. Hoffman, kneeling close to the son, 
— eighteen years old — asked him to come in prayer to 
God. His father heard it and said : " Oh, he is like his 
father ! he can't pray or say a word before strangers " ; 
but just then the son opened his mouth and poured 
forth his soul in such earnest prayer for the pardon of 
his sins, that we all wept with him ; and also, in the 
end, before rising with him, we could rejoice with liim, 
for he found his Saviour. The boy's father was all 
broken up when he saw what was done, and he also 
stammered his plea for pardon. Somehow we had 
moved close up to each other on our knees, and there 
was a scene which angels love to behold. A whole 
family born again ! Glory to God ! There was great 
joy in that house. Truly God had done great tilings 
here. 

After much prayer, we concluded to visit the pastor at 
Puerto Montt, and ask him to cease his persecutions, and 
to relieve the people of their contract with him, so that 
Bro. H. could stay among the people and receive some 



132 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

support. We accordingly set out on our errand, and 
had a meeting witli Mr. S. He felt very uneasy when 
he was confronted by us ; however, he tried to deny thq 
charges brought against him ; but it was a vain attempt. 
But we did not desire to trouble him on that line ; but 
rather come to some arrangement concerning Bro. II. 
Mr. S. would not yield a point, and thought that we 
better both go, as this was his field of labor. He was 
right in one sense, and we had a weak point there, cer- 
tainly ; but to prove to him that he could not do the 
work, and that two or three more men could be very 
useful in that field, we could not ; at any rate, to say 
the least, he felt convinced that we were not those two 
men who ought to do that work, or help him to do it. 

I then spoke to him about the result of our work, and 
asked him to compare it with the former work, or the 
condition of those professing conversion previous to our 
coming. There we touched a sore spot, and the poor 
man grew quite excited. He thought we were wolves 
in sheep's clothing, and deceiving the people, and only 
working to put liim out of the way. Things looked 
very dark indeed, and we utterly failed to come to any 
terms with him. We took our departure, and Bro. Hoff- 
man told him that he should remain, although I would 
soon leave. 

Bro. Taylor had never been to this place when he vis- 
ited the West Coast of South America two years ago. 



m SOUTH AMEEICA. 133 

He only heard from the colporteur of the Bible Society 
at Valparaiso ; who, being a German, had ten years ago 
visited these colonies, in the interest of his Society, and 
there met with success, both in preaching and the sell- 
ing of good books, and reported to William Taylor as he 
had found things then. Otherwise, these great troubles 
might have been avoided. 

However, many precious souls have found the Sav- 
iour, and I feel that for the experience I have had here, 
I am greatly strengthened, and hope to be more fit for 
future work in winning souls for the Idngdom of God, 
than heretofore. I feel that I have to learn so much, 
and I pray to my God that all may redound to His glory, 
what here I was permitted to endure and undergo. 
Thanks be to God, who keepeth my soul in perfect 
peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Amen. ^ 

A TEYiiTG Change. 

Thus I left Bro. Hoffman in this field, not with bright- 
est prospects of reconciling existing difficulties with his 
earnest and faithful labors ; but with a firm hope that 
something would give way, and peace be established, 
and the work of God go on unhindered. Before leav- 
ing his home, however, I had the satisfaction of hearing 
the testimonies of the old man and his wife, who had 
permitted Bro. H. to occupy their house. They both 
had found the Saviour, and were conscious of a perfect 



134 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

salvation from sin. Thus God was pleased to honor 
his servant along life's rougliest road. Glorj be to God 
in the highest ! 

Just then came a gift of $40 to each of us from Val- 
paraiso. The Lord knew what we stood in need of, 
and supplied us accordingly. Bro. Hoffman's experi- 
ence on the faith line was something wonderful, and we 
were a great comfort to each other while being privil- 
eged to spend a few days together. God had led us truly 
wonderfully, in these days of trouble and fiery persecu- 
tions ; but we had come out the brighter in experience 
and faith toward God. 

We separated. It seemed so hard. We wept on each 
other's necks. We had passed through deep waters in 
a comparatively short space of time. For a moment 
the past swept by once more, and in it all we could but 
see that the Lord had been with us, and that nothing 
was to be regretted. Another hearty shake of the 
hand — a holy kiss and embrace — and our horses gal- 
lopped rapidly across the pampas, over into the road 
leading to our home, which was soon to be vacated 
again. I loved the spot where our home stood — about 
two-hundred feet above the level of the Lake at our 
feet, surrounded by beautiful trees of the forest, open 
towards the water ; and away across the beautiful Lake, 
directly opposite our house, arose the volcano — Osorno 
— 2500 metres above the waters of the Lake, covered 



IK SOUTH AMERICA. 135 

with everlasting snow. I loved to watch the sunset 
right back of our house, casting its golden hues against 
the snow-fields of the volcano, transforming it into a 
mighty mass of glowing lava ; or the moon decking it 
with silvery carpet. Nature seems so lovely here ; but 
then the picture of sin rises to the front, with all its 
horrors, and dripping with the tears of those under the 
power of the prince of darkness. But in nature we 
had a Paradise. It is the spot that our feet did cover. 
There, with God, what could make its possession bitter ? 
And then we are reminded of God's word in Joshua 
i. 2, and that is the word, and it is our spiritual Paradise, 
heaven in the soul, — God — Jesus — all. Amen. 

My last sermon was to be preached at the farm-house 
of one of the colonists, about a mile off. It was large, 
and would accommodate more people than our own. 
The following Sabbath we were to meet them, probably 
for the last time on earth. 

A Sure "Way to get Bad Roads Rep acred. 

The next day the justice of the peace came to me 
and said : " You are going to preach next Sunday at 
the house of Mr. S. ? " — " Yes, I shall preach there." — 
" Well, you had better get him to repair the road lead- 
ing past his farm, and you'll do a better thing than to 
be preaching nonsense to the people. I have been to 
Mr. S. very often about that road, but he refuses to 



136 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

obey. That's the sort of people tliat want you to preach 
to them.'* 

This man was an unbeliever, and had often before 
laughed at the children who visited my school, and 
often asked them questions ; but the children would 
give such answers that he was put to shame, and gave 
up troubling them any more. Now he came to me and 
thought to make light of the power of the Gospel to 
make men new creatures. I told him, since he had giv- 
en Mr. S. up, the Lord would take him in hand, and the 
road would not only be fixed, but Mr. S. would be a 
happy man and a good neighbor. The infidel sneered 
at me, and said he would never see it done. 

I was much troubled concerning S. He had been to 
my meetings several times, and I knew him to be any- 
thing but a good neighbor, and he was very obstinate 
man; and I also was well acquainted with that bad 
road, for many times I feared that my horse would not 
be able to carry me over it. I prayed that day much 
for poor Mr. S., and in the afternoon my mind was made 
up to ride over and see him. However, I had no mes- 
sage to give him concerning the repairing of the road, 
but I did feel burdened about his soul ; and when I 
took him by the hand, and was alone with him, I told 
him that I had been much exercised about his soul all 
day, and that I came to tell him to give his heart to 
Jesus. I reminded him how that he had heard the 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 137 

word of God so often, and that now he had given his 
house for the last service to be held in this colony, and 
that I thought something was going on in his heart. 
I had noticed that while I was speaking to him, his 
head dropped ; and when he looked at me again, when 
I had finished, his eyes were filled with tears, and he 
told me that he had been troubled all day, too, and that 
we might as well have a word of prayer now, and settle 
the question with the Lord. So we knelt down and 
prayed. First I prayed, and then he prayed for himself. 
The prayer was answered immediately, and he found 
peace and confessed it joyfully. My message was de- 
livered, and the Lord had taken care of the results, and 
we now parted, hoping to meet day after to-morrow, on 
the Sabbath. 

Sunday morning we rode over to what was now Bro. 
S. But what did we find before we reached the house ? 
Why, we hardly believed our eyes, — we scarcely recog- 
nized the spot where once was the bad road. Trees 
and bushes had been cut down, a narrow bridge had 
been constructed to allow the water to run off freely, 
and great labor had evidently been spent here only re- 
cently, to put the road into proper shape. I guessed it 
all, and praised the Lord for what He had done. Bro. 
S. met us on the road, and reaching out both hands, 
bade us a hearty good morning, and then said : " Well, 
Bro. K., after you had left my house on Friday, I tliougiit 



138 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

it was high time to fix that road, and that you sliould 
travel over tliat road to my house on Sunday dry shod, 
and I experienced great pleasure in re]3airing it ; but, 
thanks be to God ! I really did it it to glorify God, for 
the people have been after me for some time about that 
road." When people get converted to God, they always 
will do right. That is just what religion will do for 
man. It will clean up filthy houses when the hearts 
are emptied of filthy sin. It will repair bad roads, if 
once the highway for the King has been cast up in the 
soul. Thanks be to God for a heartfelt religion I 
Amen. Praise the Lord ! 

We had a glorious Gospel feast that day, and the 
wife of Bro. o. was converted to God, and some others 
seemed to be convicted of sin. One old man said : 
" Oh, it is so hard to take hold of God after serving the 
devil so many years ! I have the Bible at my house, 
and am reading in it sometimes to appease my troubled 
conscience ; but I never was in real earnest, and the 
truth was not disclosed to me, and I know I am as far 
away from God as ever." Poor man ! He wept, but 
could not lay hold upon Christ. I left him in that con- 
dition ; but trust he will yet find pardon. How dan- 
gerous it is to wait and carelessly live in sin! The 
Lord will not be mocked ; what a man soweth, that 
shall he also reap. Scripture is terribly true, and it 
says (Prov. v. 21), " His own iniquities shall take the 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 139 

wicked, and he shall be holden with the cords of his 
sin." How hard it seems to break loose when we find 
how the cords of our sins bind us down ! Practice and 
habit — who shall deliver us from the body of this 
death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus our Lord, 
and only through Him, we can be delivered. Without 
deliverance through Jesus we are ever wretched. The 
Loid save the people. 



CHAPTER VII. 

A CHANGE TO THE CITY. 

Oun work was done in these parts, and precious seed 
had been sown to the last. What will the harvest be ? 
Thanks be to God, we knew the work of God did not 
end with our going. The promise that the word should 
accomplish that whereunto it had been sent, was just as 
good now as ever it was before. God is still the hus- 
bandman, and He who causes the birds of the air and 
the winds to carry the little grains of seed to the bare 
and rocky mountains, where in some way they germi- 
nate, strike root, and grow up to praise the Maker, will 
not suffer that one of His blessed words, bearing the 
germ of eternal life, should be lost. As storms, and 
rains, and cold, and heat, only seem to contribute to pre- 
serve the former until it has accomplished its design, so 
in the latter case, no odds, no human power nor devilish 
ragings, shall prevail against it. The storms of ages 
shall fan the spark to blazing fire. There I rest it with 
God. Praise His name ! 

We bade adieu to our cottage on the hill — we waved 
our hand across the beautiful Lake, and the volcano had 
hid its form behind a pare white cloud. Our hearts 

140 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 141 

were sorely tried; but thus our God permitted it all. 
One last look as we reached the northern extremes of 
the Lake, and then our road turned sharp to the west. 
In ten hours we reached Osojno. 

A WoxDEEFUL Deliverance on Horseback. 

Ten hours on horseback ; but both my dear wife and 
I Yf ere tolerable riders, and we felt not over-tired, when, 
late that day — it was 9.30 P. M. — we reached the pa- 
rental homestead. However, before reaching the city, 
it being very dark, in crossing a bridge we did not ob- 
serve the defective condition of the same, and I had 
just passed across, when behind me I heard the bridge, 
with a loud crash, break down, beneath the weight of 
the horse and its precious burden. But just as I alighted 
from my horse to run to assist my poor wife, whom I 
supposed to be, at least, severely hurt, the horse and 
rider stood beside me as though nothing had occurred. 
She only in silence reached down her hand, which I 
sought with both of mine, and said : " I am safe, thank 
God ! " The horse, it appeared, had, on touching the 
ground, with one might}^ leap regained the bank on my 
side of the ditch, and my wife had remained in the sad- 
dle, neither of them being hurt in the least. The whole 
was a work of a few seconds, and it seemed a miracu- 
lous deliverance. 



142 six yeaes with william taylor 

In Osoeno. 

While awaiting letters from Valparaiso from our 
brethren there, I was not resting and folding mj arms. 
I found Mr. R., the pastor, preparing for his return to Eu- 
rope, and heard through him that another man would 
take his place, as he did not expect to return to this 
country. I began visiting the people, and found them 
in almost the same condition as those at the Lake. Mr. 
R. was a good man, but weak, and getting discouraged, 
he gave up the work and left the field. One day I vis- 
ited a man who was confined to his room. He was glad 
that I had come, but when I spoke to him concerning 
Jesus and his soul, he became so angry that he opened 
the door and asked me to lea*^e his house as quick as 
possible. He said : " I cannot bear to hear that name." 
I did not doubt it a moment, and I asked him to permit 
me to pray with him, and then I would go. The man 
had no desire to yield to my wish, but, opening my Bi- 
ble, I began to read, and he shut the door ; then I 
prayed earnestly for his soul. When I arose I saw the 
man's face looked terrible. I could not help but think 
of Cain when the Lord asked him : " Why is thy coun- 
tenance fallen?" The man again stepped to the door, 
and said ; " Please leave me ; I cannot bear this." I 
deeply felt for the poor man, and thought. What will 
it be in the day of judgment, and is not this true, what 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 143 

the Lord of the living and the dead tells us concerning 
the rich man in hell ? How will the unsaved — those 
who reject Christ on earth — bear the sight of the 
great white throne ? not to speak of Him who sitteth 
thereon. How will they bear the songs of the redeem- 
ed — how bear the testimonies of the blood-washed 
throng ? But last of all, how bear the memory of the 
past — the remembrance of never-returning opportuni- 
ties, lost ? When heaven and earth shall pass away at 
the sight, will they be able to resist that irresistible, 
sweeping force, and not be carried away to their eternal 
doom ? Sin sinks into eternal misery. Away from God, 
— oh, what a hell ! 

A Mr. Worldly-wise said once to me : " Oh, this busi- 
ness of 'hell' has quit, — it's 'hades' now." I told 
him, if he did n't repent he would be permitted to live 
in " hades," when he sinks into hell. The question of 
choice would then, perhaps, not come up in his mind. 
But thanks be to God, while we live we may choose 
" to-day," and in Jesus we find power " this day," to fix 
our eternal destiny. What wondrous power ! 

"O wondrous grace ! O wondrous love ! 
That called a Saviour from above 
To die on Calvary ! " 

Mr R. had left, and I applied for the church, and 
asked the privilege of preaching there. It was granted 
to me. A neighbor had lost a son by death. I visited 



144 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE 

the parents and found them quarrelling with God. 
They did not know Him, and 'so now quarrelled with 
Him. They had never sought to make His acquaint- 
ance, and yet they knew He was cruel and unjust. 
They had never read the Bible, but they knew it was 
untrue. They were left to themselves, and yet won- 
dered that they were comfortless, and found themselves 
without a hope for their boy, without a hope for them- 
selves. They knew everybody had to die except them- 
selves. Oh, what wretchedness, what misery ! It seems 
so hard to comfort here. They really need to see their 
sins in the light of the Gospel. They must know that 
they are lost, and hear that there is a Saviour — a way 
of salvation. 

My First FtJNERAL Seemon. 

I was invited to officiate at the funeral, and I prom- 
ised to bury the boy. I hoped that many of their 
friends would be present at the funeral, and that it 
might be an occasion of great blessing to the people. 
I was not mistaken, for a great many of those who were 
not accustomed to go to church, were present, and God 
led the discourse. I was much blessed, and the central 
question was put very pointedly, ''How is it with thy 
soul ? " and, " Prepare to meet thy God." Some left 
the grave before I had finished the preaching, and I saw 
they had left in anger. Amen. Others were thought- 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 145 

ful, and others, again, seemed convicted. I was not 
home long when a tall, heavy German entered my room, 
desiring to see me. The man seemed to be in a state 
of excitement, and I guessed what was up. He asked 
me how I dared to suppose that he was a sinner, and 
how I dared to talk at a funeral as though the people 
needed my discourse. I told him politely that really I 
thought the poor dead boy did n't need it, and would n't 
care whether I praised liim or not, and that the occasion 
had been too solemn to think of talking only about the 
dead. " No man liveth to himself, and no man dieth to 
himself," and on these grounds I thought a lesson was 
to be derived for those remaining on earth. 

The man began to curse, and swore frightfully at me ; 
but the Lord kept me sweet. I made no more reply, 
and when he saw I did not get angry with him, he did 
not know what to do, and became rather confused. He 
looked like a man that had undertaken a manly job, 
and was not able to finish it. He was looking for a big 
quarrel — a fight — and an attempt on my part to throw 
him out doors ; but no such thing occurred. The poor 
fellow was bitterly disappointed, and when in a friendly 
manner I asked him to take a seat, he turned to the 
door and left the house. But he felt still worse when 
he saw his friends, who had waited on the street for 
him, laughing at him, and saying, loud enough for me 
to hear it : " Well, we thought you 'd eat the man alive, 
and here you are already ! " 



146 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

The man turned to see whether I had noticed this, 
and then, ashamed of himself, he silently disappeared, 
not caring for his friends. 

I heard afterwards that he had intended to give me a 
good thrashing, and had boasted among his friends that 
he would do the job so well as to remove my desire for 
preaching the Gospel to the people. If these dear men 
would only fall out with themselves, it would help them, 
and discover to them their friends (?), who laugh at 
them when they get into trouble. Who will stick 
closer than a brother, or who is the " true Friend " ? 
Friend may give his life for a friend, but to what profit ? 
Only Jesus, dying, and while we were yet sinners, will 
save the soul. There is no real value in the death of 
any making such a sacrifice, — the glory of it fades 
away, as the grass that to-day is, and is cast into the fire 
to-morrow, — except the death of Jesus. At the sound 
of that story of the Cross, millions have found the sal- 
vation of a never-dying soul ; at the sound of the story 
of a risen Jesus, millions have understood, " What is 
life?" At the sound of the mere mention of Jesus' 
name, millions have been thrilled, and the hopes that 
pass human knowledge and understanding, have been 
called to life within the soul, and have become tangible 
to the grasp of childlike faith ; and a personal Holy 
Ghost has manifested Himself, showing us things to 
come. 



IN SOUTH AMEKICA. 1.47 

" O 't is glory ! O 'tis glory I 
O 'tis glory in my soul ! 
I have touched the hem of His garment 
And His power doth make me whole.'* 

Persecution began also in this place. The people 
had not heard the truth, and had been permitted to go 
on in sin quite undisturbed. A man — one of the offi- 
cials of the church -— told me that I might haye the 
church every Sunday, but I must cease preaching about 
sin and the Saviour. The other preacher had to com- 
ply with their wish, and I might as well do the same 
tiling, if I meant to succeed. I asked the man ; "What 
did your pastor preach, then? " " Oh, he told us to be 
good, but we didn't mind that much; he liked to enjoy 
himself as well as we did." 

Now, I thought, as to the preaching, it is just what 
some others do in the pulpit — " telling the people to 
be good." That is about what some sermons amount 
to. I was not surprised to find the people in such a 
state of rebellion against God and his messenger. They 
had been playing at "sugar-coating," and now the 
"medicine," being applied to cure the disease, " cramped " 
their stomachs. 

PnEACHmG TO Natives. 
In the midst of these persecutions, the Lord con- 
verted my brother-in-law, who lay very sick with con- 
sumption. We earnestly prayed for him, and he raUied 



148 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

somewliat ; and he said if God would restore him to 
health, he would yet go to study and preach the Gos- 
pel. He seemed to get much better, and he was so ear- 
nest that he said to me one day : "Let us go into the 
country and preach to the natives, and I will interpret 
for you." Accordingly we set out, and held several 
meetings in the neighborhood, and the people were 
much interested to hear the word, although they were 
severely reproved by the priests. But the Lord permit- 
ted the young man to sink back into his old disease, 
and he soon grew so weak that he could preach no 
longer. I had hoped that he would entirely recover his 
health, and become a worker in the Lord's vineyard. 

Returning one Sabbath morning from a meeting with 
the natives, we met a number of wealthy Germans, who 
had gone out for a ride to the country. When they 
saw me, as they passed by, they cursed me. I thanked 
God for the grace that enabled me to offer silent prayer 
for those men. Seven years ago I probably should 
have challenged them to fight a duel, in German fash- 
ion. God wondrously saved me from anger when He 
removed the "roots of bitterness" — the moment He 
sanctified my soul, "through and through," and gave 
me the gift of perfect love. 

Among the Childeen. 
Now, I thought, the time had come that something 
should be done for the children, and accordingly I went 



IN SOUTH AMEHICA. 149 

out on the street — my wife and I — and invited them 
in, and these dear lambs learned to sing, and they en- 
joyed it so much. The Lord blessed me so with these 
children, that some of them would pray in their little 
gatherings, and in their way confess that they loved the 
Saviour. Oh, these hours with the children ! How 
anxious they seemed to learn of Jesus ! We had sing- 
ing and prayer every afternoon for one hour, and the 
Bible-class on the Sabbath. 

One day two little boys came to see me, and the 
younger one said : " Mr. K., I have a dollar here for 
you ; will you take it ? " I drew the boy towards me, 
and told him that I would take the money, providing 
he would tell me how he got it. The little fellow 
blushed, but could not say a word, — he looked con- 
fused, and, looking at his brother and me, he was 
tearing liis finger-nails. Then I set him on my knee, 
and tried to persuade him to tell me all about it. It 
was a long time before he yielded, and it was when he 
saw that his brother was about to open his mouth to 
make the confession. He then told me, in his childish 
way, and I thought it was so sweet to listen to him (and 
it takes good boys to tell it alone) : — 

" My brother and I asked mother to let us cut some 
wood for the stove, one day, and we liked the work, 
and then I said to mother : ' Will you give us twenty- 
five cents if we cut an ox-cart full of wood ? ' Mother 



150 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

laughed, aud said, * Yes.' Now, when we had finished 
our lessons in the evening we run out into the wood 
and cut a little every day ; but mother didn't know we 
cut much. Yesterday we asked ma to give us an ox- 
cart and one of the farm hands, to bring in the wood 
that we cut; and we brought in four big loads. 
' Mother,' we said, ' you must now give us a dollar, be- 
cause there are four big loads ' ; but she wouldn't give 
us the money, because she thought we would spend it. 
We didn't want to tell ma what we wanted the money 
for; but she made us tell it, and I told her it was to be 
for the missionary. 

Oh, that touched my heart, and I wept like a child. 
That was too nuich for me. I kissed the boys, and they 
ran out so full of joy. These were two boys of eight 
and twelve years, cutting wood to earn a dollar for the 
missionary ! Praise the Lord ! Surely the Lord was 
working among the children. 

A young man came and asked me to give him a book 
to read. I gave him " Woltersdorf s Letters." Turning 
the leaves over carelessly, he asked Avhether there were 
any "nice stories " in it. I said that I remembered the 
time when I was about eighteen years old, when I sat 
down and shed tears over some idle tale — some novel 
— if it was written in some way affecting, and I liked 
it. Next I remembered the time when I read the story 
of God's love to man in sin, and I shed tears, and it 



EST SOUTH ATklEHICA. 151 

saved my soul ; while the former damned my soul. He 
took the book without asking questions. 

On the first of November, I was invited out to the 
country to preach. We had a great blessing. One sis- 
ter, seventy-nine years of age, came up to me after the 
preaching, and taking me by the hand, said: "I know 
now that I am the Lord's," and another younger sister 
said ; " I have made a full step to the front." I had 
preached from Rev. ii. 10. It seemed that heaven was 
open, and we saw Jesus standing at the right hand of 
God. 

On the way home, I desired much to see a family liv- 
ing near, and turning my horse, made my way toward 
the house. The head of the house had noticed my com- 
ing, and there were visitors at the house ; and I was sor- 
ry to see they were drinking hard ; I thought it best not 
to dismount, and waving my hand toward the party, 
turned to leave ; but the whole party came to the door, 
bringing their drink with them ; and at once insisted 
that I should drink with them, — just because the}^ knew 
I did not use stimulants, nor drink water for mere pleas- 
ure. They sought a quarrel. I politely refused, when 
they poured out curses and swore awfully at me. 

Polite with Dogs. 

The house-father then turned loose four large dogs, 
and excited them to take hold of me. I calmly bado 



152 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

them good-by, the dogs barking furiously, but not dar- 
ing to touch me nor the horse, as I slowly rode off. 
People said they wondered that the dogs did not tear 
me in pieces ; they were known to be dangerous ani- 
mals. I understood it all right, for on another occasion 
a large dog confronted me, and taking off my hat, I 
politely bowed to Mr. Dog. He growled, and, complete- 
ly overcome, retired to one side, but steadily looked 
after me until I was out of sight. Now I do think we 
try to treat men — our enemies — a little better when 
we are filled with the Holy Spirit ; and our behavior, 
while they are raging, will strike them something like a 
new idea, and before they recover, the steam is blown 
off. 

" The servant is not above his Master ; but every one 
that is perfect shall be as his Master." This is a word 
of which we might say : " Lo, now dost thou speak 
plainly." More like Him — be " as his Master. A man 
who professed to know the Lord," said to me he did not 
believe it right to go to God in prayer for every " little 
thing." I told him the very hairs of our head were 
numbered, and not one of them is left unnoticed, and 
asked him whether he did not think that a hair was 
rather a small affair ? When the Lord washes the heart, 
he levels our head, to be sure, and the whole man, with 
everything belonging to him, is under supervision of the 
Holy Ghost. However, some people, I find, are great 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 153 

men — great Avomen — and only deal wholesale ; but 
they find that the scales turn on them, and the Lord 
doesn't mind "these little things." 
^ Now when the work among the children began to be 
noticed, the teachers began their work of pulling down 
what was built up. They abused the children at school 
for attending the meetings, and at last succeeded in 
causing the parents to forbid their coming to me. Most 
of the parents of those attending the Sunday-school 
were ungodly, and soon only the two little wood-cut- 
ters remained — both parents being godly people. 

By this time, I needed a new suit of clothing, and I 
talked to God about it, and said that in His infinite 
goodness He might provide me with necessary garments. 
My father-in-law, if he had known anything about it, 
would have at once responded ; but this I did not want. 
The Lord had led me to depend on Him, and I let the 
matter rest in His hands. We had an old stove which 
we had used at the Lake, and a young man had heard 
of it, and came to inquire whether we would sell it. I 
had not thought that any one would buy the stove, as it 
was in somewhat defective condition. I told him what 
I thought, but he insisted on having it, and so I showed 
it to him, and especially the broken parts. - He said he 
would take the stove and repair it, and handing me $17, 
said he had taken that amount with film, and that I 
was welcome to it. The following Sabbath, after the 



154 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

preaching at our house, a sister took me aside, and plac- 
ing $20 in my hand, said : " A person not wishing to he 
known, sends you this." I had never intimated to any 
one, by a word, that I had need of anything, — except 
to God, — and never until now had I received any as- 
sistance in money to this amount from anybody, with 
the exception of the dollar from the two boys. So the 
Lord supplied my need, and to Him belonged all the 
glory. Praise His name ! The cloth was then bought, 
and a tailor came to the house and there made the suit 
for me. Some people are so " God-fearing," as to be 
afraid to trust God with their wants. The Lord have 
pity on us ! The Lord answers prayer. 

The following Sabbath I was invited to preach five 
miles south of Osorno. A good number were present. 
I preached from Heb. i. 1-3. God graciously manifest- 
ed Himself to some present, and some entered into life, 
while some were hardened. Oh, the terrible infidelity 
of these Germans is heart-sickening! But had I not 
been there myself? Has not the power of Jesus reach- 
ed even me? My soul, wait thou upon God: thou 
shalt yet see thy desire. 

On my way home, a German accompanied me, also on^ 
horseback, who was very angry that I went about 
preaching the word of God ; and being exceedingly 
mad against me, used frightful language. In my heart 
I prayed for the man, and he was the more angry when 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 155 

he saw me patiently riding along ; and then, shaking 
his fist in my face, put spurs to his horse, and crying out : 
" You are a fool ! " dashed away, out of sight. I re- 
member that man's face well, distorted with rage, only 
because he had heard the truth, and it had struck him 
to the heart ; and with all his might — Satan helping 
him — he shook off the conviction for sin. Somehow, 
some one would always get mad ; but, thanks be to God ! 
some always found the Saviour. The men were terribly 
steeped in sin and crime, and shameless before their 
wives and children ; but, alas ! in many instances, the 
wife and even small children were as bad, in a way I 
had never witnessed elsewhere. I praised God that He 
counted me worthy to suffer for His name's sake. Thus 
the armor is kept bright and grace abounds. Glory to 
God for the perfect love in my soul ! 

Tliis same man had been sick, nigh unto death, only 
two weeks ago. He desired me then to pray for him. 
He seemed as meek as a lamb, but the Lord had spared 
his life, and he had forgotten the mercy of God, and 
broken his vow, — and how many are doing just the 
same tiling ? Faith, hope, charity ; but the greatest is 
charity. No wonder, then, the Lord practices it on 
man, — it conquers the world, — it has conquered me. 

About this time we had a visit from Bro. Hoffman. 
His work at the Lake was hard, and he suffered much 
persecution. On one occasion their Kfe was in danger. 



156 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

While riding with his wife to an appointment, several 
yonng men tried to run over them while they were rid- 
ing close to a precipice ; but when they caught hold of 
the horse's bridle, it broke, and the horses of the men 
were suddenly frightened and ran away with them. 
They were pursued and one of them arrested ; but soon 
released without a hearing. The reason of this mad at- 
tempt seemed to be : the Lord had converted a Roman 
family. Every member of the household had been 
soundly converted, and all bore faithful testimony to 
the saving power of God. Formerly this family served 
so faithfully in the ranks of the enemy, that they had 
gotten quite a reputation, and of course the devil would 
not be quiet about it; but it was done — the great 
transaction was done — although Satan raged, and Bro. 
H, was willing to suffer. 

I received no news as yet from Valparaiso, and here 
there was no abiding place for me. The new preacher 
from Germany was soon expected to arrive. The time 
spent here has been rich in experience, and several per- 
sons have found the Saviour. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MY CALL TO VALP AKAISO. — LE AY mG THE COLONIES. 

I CONCLUDED to go up to Valparaiso without awaiting 
an answer. I prayed and fasted about the matter, and 
it appeared clear that it was the will of God that I 
should go. The witness was given me so clearly, that 
not a thought of a doubt was admitted. Once more I 
visited the Lake, and with Bro. Hoffman was privileged 
to preach several times to the peo^Dle there. I found the 
Lord had wonderfully blessed Bro. Hoffman, and I heard 
many precious testimonies from the young people. I 
met that family which had so recently been converted 
to God. They were truly all the Lord's, and sound in 
their testimony. The persecutions had intensified, and 
in the midst of all, these tender plants grew beautifully, 
to the glory of the wonderful Jesus. I soon returned 
to Osorno, and leaving my dear wife with her parents, 
started for Valparaiso. 

On Cln-istmas day, at noon, I arrived in Valparaiso. 
There I met the Rev. Mr. Jeffrey, who was preaching 
to the seamen. He was not very well, and he invited 
me to preach for him on the following Sabbath on board 
the bark La Querida. This was my first sermon to sea- 

157 



158 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

men, and the Lord put His seal to the word, and bless- 
ed us all. I began to love the seamen from the first 
day that I spent with them. In the afternoon I visited 
six ships, and gathered the men in the forecastle for the 
occasion, and there spoke to them. Singing and prayer 
followed. These dear sailors enjoyed the meetings very 
much, and when I asked them about their souls' welfare, 
they manifested a desire to seek the Lord, and asked 
me to come back. 

On Sunday, the fourth of January, I gathered a Ger- 
man congregation, and preached to them from Matt, 
xxii. 42. On the twenty-second of January, our An- 
nual Conference was held at Santiago, and I proceeded 
thither to meet the workers who had come to the West 
Coast of South America under William Taylor. There 
were present : Prof. Wright and Miss Lelia Waterhouse, 
of Concepcion ; L. C. Smith and Miss Vassbinder, of 
Copiapo ; Mr. La Fetra, Santiago ; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey, 
Mr. and Mrs. Collyer, and von Barchwitz-Krauser, all of 
Valparaiso. Mr. Collyer had been working at Iquique, 
but the war between Chili and Peru had broken out, and 
he was compelled to leave the field. (He filled the pul- 
pit of Dr. Trumbull while this gentleman was visiting 
the United States.) There were others on the coast, 
who had not been able to come — the distance being so 
great. 

We received news that Prof. Humphrey and wife, 



IN SOUTH AJMERICA. 159 

would shortly be compelled to leave Tacna, Peru, on 
account of the war, and also that Mr. Magnus Smith, 
of MoUendo, Peru, had died, and Mrs. Smith had return- 
ed to the States. Bro. Birdsall had passed away some 
time ago, at Aspinwall. So ten workers met at this, 
our first Conference. All had passed through the fire 
but our spirits were bright, and the prospects encourag 
ing for those who had set their heart to work faith 
fully. The school-work was chiefly among the natives 
It was now decided that Mr. Jeffrey, of Valparaiso, 
should be transferred to Concepcion, to enter school- 
work, as his health had failed in Valparaiso, and his ser- 
vices were required at the school at Concepcion. I had 
already labored a few weeks in Valparaiso, and to my 
great joy, I had found that much work was to be done ; 
but with the seamen on shore I had met with stout re- 
sistance, on the part of those who kept those dens of 
vice which characterize the seaports in all parts of the 
world, and I did not see my way clear how to approach 
them and do an effectual work. The work was com- 
pletely new to me, and although I experienced no fear 
whatever, yet I felt a lack of proper understanding as 
to how such a work might be carried on, and I also con- 
founded this with a sense of unfitness for that peculiar 
work ; for I seemed to see clearly what was necessary, 
in one sense, and yet there was a cloud. I told the 
brethren about my convictions, and they decided to 



160 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

send Bro. Jeffrey down to Valparaiso, and ask the 
committee of the Seamen's Society as to my fitness, 
and bring up tlie report. Tlie report came, and was 
about as follows: "We want Bro. K. for the seamen's 
work, and think he is the man ; only — he preaches too 
much holiness." The old sore of the church. 

Good Common Sense. 

But Bro. LaFetra said : " Probably that is the reason 
why he is the man, and why success has marked his la- 
bors among the seamen already." All, with one voice, 
said then : " Go on, Bro. Krauser, — preach as the Lord 
shall lead you. Amen. Praise the Lord ! " Then 
three beside me went to an upper room, and there 
prayed to God to lead and bless me in the work, and 
show me what to do to strike the proper blow, and do a 
God-glorifying work among the seamen on shore and in 
the bay. 

While thus praying with my dear brethren, the light 
came, and I could see what the Lord wanted me to do. 
It was clear to me that the very strongholds of Satan 
must be assailed, and undermined by prayer, until they 
should fall and crumble to dust. I arose and said with 
a loud voice : " Here, Lord, am I : send me," and then 
a baptism fell on me, such as I had not experienced be- 
fore, and it abode with me. 

When I came down and joined the other brethren, I 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 161 

walked to and fro in the room, weeping and laughing, 
and clapping my hands. I felt the Lord would do a 
work in Valparaiso, and He had just given me the 
strength to do it in His name. I received there a spe- 
cial baptism for a special work. 

The day drew nigh when we all should separate, each 
one to his field of labor. It had done us good to be 
thus permitted to meet and commune with each other ; 
and, much strengthened, we parted, to enter upon our 
work for the Master. 



CHAPTER IX. 

A EICH MIKE DISCOYEKED.— GOmG TO WOKK:. 

My first work was — true to ray conviction — to go 
to one of the saloon-keepers, who kept one of the worst 
dens in the place, — he was a German, himself a hard 
drinker, and also a drunkard-maker, — and ask him to 
permit me to visit his saloon every Sunday afternoon, 
and hold a prayer-meeting with the men whom I would 
find in the place. The Lord was with me when I en- 
tered the house, and then the moment came when I put 
the question fairly before him. The man looked at me 
first as though he thought I was joking ; but when I re- 
peated the question, he could be no longer in doubt 
that I meant business, and then replied : " Well, Mr. 
Krauser, I believe you don't know what you are talking 
about." Then I began to plead with the man as my 
soul would plead for the soul of a poor lost sinner at 
the throne of grace. I asked the man whether he had 
never taken pity on those young men, or felt for them, 
when at his bar they would spend their last hard-earned 
dollar, and then he would see them stagger out on the 
street, mad with drink ; and how, in many cases, he had 
to throw them out by force ; and whether he had ever 
162 



LN" SOUTH AMERICA. 163 

tliouglit that so many sailor-boys had dear praying 
mothers, wives, and children, at home ? He replied to 
all this : " Oh, well, business is business, I have noth- 
ing to do with all that ; but for you to come here and 
hold meetings, I don't see that you will accomplish 
much, except to ruin my business." My heart went 
out after the dear seamen, and with tears I begged the 
man to give me a chance in his house, to pray with the 
men, and to permit me to go in and out as I liked. He 
could not resist now, any more ; but turning half aside, 
said: "Well, all right; come on." 

Oh, how my soul was filled with thanksgiving toward 
God ! The words of the man seemed like music to the 
ear. I thanked him heartily, and told him that I ex- 
pected God would bless him, too. 

My next business was to get another place like it in 
some other street. I felt that the banner must be rais- 
ed right in the lion's den, and God gave me grace to go 
and conquer. I soon found the place I wanted — a 
large boarding-house — kept by a Swede, who probably 
did the best business in the line of dealing out death to 
poor sailors. He kept several " runners " to decoy sail- 
ors on shore and strip them of everything they possess- 
ed, and then throw them on the " beach." This sort of. 
men are best known among sailors as " land-sharks." 

I called for the proprietor, who received me kindly, 
but when I told him my errand, he began to give me a 



164 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOU 

lecture to this effect, that it was no use to try to do any- 
thing for sailors; Jack would always be a "bad egg,'' 
and the best thing I could do for them would be to let 
them alone. A fine lecture for the devil's pocket — it 
did all honor to the trade ; but I was not inclined to 
give it up quite so fast. The man was a good talker, 
and I confess I did not like him half so well as my oth- 
er friend in saloon No. 1. However, he consented at 
last, but in a room up stairs — not in the bar-room ; yet 
I could visit the bar-room as often as I wished; but if 
he did n't like it any longer, I would have to give it up. 

1 knew he would not like it very long ; but I accepted 
the arrangement. 

Thus I had fixed my Sunday work. Preaching in the 
morning from 10 to 11, in German, on shore. From 
11.30, in the bay, among the seamen. Afternoon from 

2 to 3, in saloon No. 1, and from 3 to 6, visiting the 
crews on board ship in the bay ; and in the evening, 
from 7 to 8, in saloon No. 2. Three times during the 
week, in the evenings, visit all the drinking-saloons, 
dancing halls, and brothels, and twice each week, in the 
evening, to hold a prayer-meeting in the bay, on board 
ship. Tills plan was made to be followed for an indefi- 
•nite time, so that changes could be admitted to suit the 
circumstances, and to suit the development of the work. 
Besides, every fortnight, I engaged to preach at the 
English hospital, and to drop an hour out of my visits 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 1G5 

to the bay, on those days. It was plain enough that this 
was my work, and that less could not be done if I ex- 
pected results, and the Lord would give me health and 
strength. I felt this in every drop of blood running 
through my veins. M}^ soul was filled with God, and 
the baptism for work was upon me. 

Peayee-Meetin^g in a Bar-eoom. 

Sunday, the 25th, I held my first meeting in bar- 
room No. 1. Being Sunday, there were a good many 
present. I went into the adjoining card-room, and in- 
vited all to attend. This first meeting was conducted 
without much disturbance on the part of those who 
were intoxicated. Some laughed while prayer was of- 
fered, but when we sang the hymns, there was silence, 
and most of those present were soon engaged in sing- 
ing. Then followed an earnest exhortation, and prayer 
in closing. The impression was profound, and in the 
eyes of some of the men there were tears. I spoke 
with several about their souls, and found that some had 
been wounded by the Spirit. 

In the afternoon I visited eight ships, and sj^oke to 
about sixty men. At 7 p. m., saloon No. 2 was visited. 
I first gathered the men into the bar-room and then in- 
vited them to come up stairs. The proprietor did not 
like that. He said he had to live, and business was 
business. I turned to the men and said : " You see this 



166 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAJVI TAYLOK 

man cares not for your welfare — only for your money. 
It does not matter to him what becomes of you, if he 
only can get your money. Now he has the devil help- 
ing him in tliis ; but you have God to help you ; if you 
will let Him, He will save your souls from sin, and give 
you something that will remain with you forever — His 
Holy Spirit. You here partake of these ardent spirits. 
They will stay with you while you indulge, and then 
influence you to all manner of sin and crime, and craze 
your brain ; while your wife and children, and a poor 
mother, long for a penny to buy bread, and your chil- 
dren need shoes to their bare feet." Thus I spoke in 
the bar-room to them, while they listened. I knew the 
bar-keeper well enough. Those tall^ative fellows stand 
a great deal ; and thinking they are a great deal wiser 
after all, let me have my say out, and think : '' I '11 put 
him out some other time." In the meantime the Gos- 
pel is preached. Then I spoke to those men up in their 
rooms, and prayed with them. We had a blessed sea- 
son this day, and God be praised. Amen. 

I shall now follow the line of general development of 
the blessed work that soon followed in this city, and not 
report every meeting in order ; but select from my 
journal only such points as will be of interest to the 
reader, and are calculated to help, and also to glorify 
God, as well as give a clear idea as to the work that has 
been accomplished within the three years from 1880, to 
February, 1884. 



IK SOUTH AMEEICA. 167 

The meetings in the saloons were wonderfully blessed, 
but more or less persecution arose as the work of soul- 
saving began to show. The third Sabbath in saloon 
No. 1, showed that by this time the devil had been 
fairly aroused. While praying with those who would 
kneel with me, others would strike the table with their 
fists, and pour out their beer about me and curse and 
swear in the most awful manner ; but still, in the midst 
of all this, some sailor would shed tears of repentance, 
and in all the noise a^mong drunken comrades, plead 
with God and receive pardon ; and then some would go 
out with me, and help me in the work, and bear testi- 
mony to the saving power of Jesus. Saloon-keeper No. 
2, now forbade my coming to the place any longer. He 
said it hurt his business ; but I told him I must come, 
even though he should take the room from me. He did 
that ; but then I visited the bar-room and distributed 
tracts. When I came in he went out, and did not come 
back until I had left the place. The poor man hated to 
see me, but had not the power to forbid me his house. 

Shot Behikd the Counter. 

In saloon No. 1, a man — one of the runners — was 
shot dead behind the bar ; but now the Lord had taken 
hold of the man who kept this terrible place. When 
he came and begged me to bury the man, I took him 
aside and prayed with him. I told him about the judg- 



168 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

ment to come, and about the love of God, and that 
Jesus bad died for bim. I also told bim, if be did not 
give up bis bouse soon, tbe Lord would visit upon bim 
tbe blood of tbe many victims tbat bad lost body and 
soul in bis place, and tbrougb bis influence for evil. 
Tbe man seemed really broken, and I rejoiced to see it. 
Ob, tbat God migbt give tbat man grace to give bis 
beart to Jesus, and close tbat den of vice, and find 
sometbing better to do to earn bis bread. , 

A number of saloon-keepers, wbo ]:)robably bad not 
beard tbe word of God from tbe pulpit from tbeir boy- 
bood, were tbere, and tbe Lord anointed me for tbe 
occasion. Tbe bitter past rose up before tbem, and 
many wisbed for a moment tbey were not tbere to bear 
it. But it was tbe solemn trutb — tbe word of God 
declared tbe trutb. I spoke witb many after tbe body 
bad been deposited, and poor Mr. B., tbe saloon-keeper, 
bad a bard time to rid bimself of conviction, and for 
tbe first time be promised to think of these things tbat 
be bad beard of late. 

The following Sunday I bad the great joy to see a 
sailor on board an American ship converted to God, and 
two others earnestly seeking the Lord. Our meeting 
in saloon No. 1, in the afternoon, was rather a peculiar 
one. While I was praying, and several others of the 
men had knelt down with me, the gambling and drink- 
ing was going on at the very table around which we 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 169 

bowed. The men playing did not feel inclined to stop, 
and one threatened to make it hot for me if I did not 
leave the place ; and although he shook his fist in my 
face, he was prevented from striking me, and I prayed 
on. It was a wonderful meeting, and before we had 
finished our knee-work there was silence in the room. 
The worst crier had suddenly left. Truly the ungodly 
shall not be able to stand in the congregation of the 
righteous. 

The whole neighborhood in this part of the city had 
been wonderfully stirred, for the Lord had raised up 
several men from among the ofPscouring of society, and 
soundly converted them, and these helped me nobly in 
the work. A little band of four saved men, who had 
been picked out of the gutter, accompanied me to all 
the gambling hells and brothels in the parts most fre- 
quented by sailors and mechanics, and other foreigners 
living in the city. A hand-to-hand fight now com- 
menced, and Satan was well stirred up, and tried to 
rally his host against me ; but in every battle we came 
out more than conquerors. 

COLLAEED BY A WOMAN. 

In my visits during the week to those dens, I stepped 
into one saloon, kept by a very tall and strong native 
women. The place was crowded by foreigners and na- 
tives. I called in and sat down among them, and began 



170 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE 

to distribute my tracts, when suddenly I felt some one 
take me by the collar from behind, and very \mcere- 
moniously raised me to my feet and marched me to the 
door, giving me a lift which landed me across the pave- 
ment on the street. The good woman of the house had 
managed to do all that in a very short time ; but I was 
not to be baffled like that, and a second time I came to 
the door, but the woman, in great anger, met me again, 
and told me if I stepped across the threshold she would 
strike me in the face. I then drew out some Spanish 
tracts, and handing them to her, said that they con- 
tained the story of Jesus, and the word of life. She 
pushed the hand that offered the tracts aside, and push- 
ing me back — for I had advanced while talking towards 
the interior of the room — she again threatened to 
throw me out on the street. Then I said : " Well, if 
you throw me out at the front door I shall come in at 
the back, for I must talk to these men inside." The 
face of the woman changed into a smile. I never saw 
anything done so quick, and I marched in, and handed 
her the Spanish tracts, which were no longer refused. 
I sat down with the men at the tables, and, unmolested, 
I was permitted to read my Bible, and talk to the men. 
They had hoped first that I would be frightened by the 
woman, and run ; but soon found themselves in a very 
tight place, for on such occasions the truth, and only 
the whole truth, was fearlessly proclaimed. Their open 



IK SOUTH AMERICA. 171 

sins and their secret sins were laid open to their minds ; 
but I never left any men without I could see the Spirit's 
work that was going on in their hearts. Before leaving 
the place, I told the woman who kept it, to give her 
heart to Jesus, and told her about the women who clus- 
tered about the cross of Jesus on the day of His cruci- 
fixion, and tried to show her what a noble stand they 
had taken, and yet she, lost and ruined herself, was tak- 
ing her stand against this Christ, and trying to ruin 
others. She listened most attentively. The j^oor wo- 
man had probably never heard anything of Christ be- 
fore. She then told me I could come back whenever I 
liked, and promised never to throw me out doors again. 
I said, Amen ! and departed. 

That same evening I made arrangement for a nice 
large room, which I rented for religious meetings, right 
in the centre of a great many saloons and gambling 
hells, — beautifully located for a soul-saving work; and 
the following day I organized a " fellowship band," and 
in the name of God we would go forth to conquer or 
die. The saloon-keepers and gamblers and brothel- 
keepers had united to " kill us out," and under all cir- 
cumstances, frustrate our designs ; for they had found 
business was growing worse, and their best customers 
were getting converted, and not only that, but they had 
lost one of their number, who had just enlisted to fight 
under the banner of Jesus, and some three others had 



172 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

to close up their saloons for want of customers ; for no 
foreigner or native was sure that he would not some- 
where meet " that confounded parson," as they used to 
say, and be reproved for their sins. Yes, praise God ! 
the time had come when they felt ashamed to be seen 
about these places, or even in that quarter of the city, 
which had become a pest to the community. 

The Maintop. 

Tliis part of the city was known to seamen, and to 
all pleasure-seeking people, under the name of " The 
maintop." For the last forty years Satan had reigned 
here, and no one had ever dared to dispute his rights. 

Our little band now consisted of ten God-fearing 
young men. One of them — my assistant leader — 
used to be called by his former shipmates " the ship's 
devil." He had been a drunkard, and steeped head 
over heels in sin and vice, and now, just as faithful, 
served his new-found Master, whom he now loved with 
all his heart and with all his soul. 

How God Saved a Rumsellee. 

Another of the number had kept a brothel for twenty- 
two years ; but when I had visited his saloon every 
week several times, and finding he somehow could nev- 
er succeed in keeping me away, he concluded to lock the 
door whenever I should come near ; but he could not 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 173 

bar out the Spirit of God, and so I prayed now es- 
pecially for Hs poor soul on the outside. This troubled 
him so, that one night he came to our mission-room, 
close by, and after meeting stayed until 10 o'clock 
pleading with God to free him from his business. 
The poor fellow made a mistake here. He was afraid 
he would have no bread and butter, and yet he knew 
he would be eternally lost if he carried on his pernicious 
trade. I tried to point him to Jesus, as he laid on the 
floor, rolling in agony. I told him to tell Jesus about 
his sms, and first obtain forgiveness, and the way for 
his daily bread would open before him — God would 
take care of that. He could not see it yet, and he went 
away that night unsaved. But some of the noble band 
united that same night with me in prayer, and we 
claimed that man's soul for heaven, and left him there, 
— we were looking forward to God to deliver the poor 
man from sin. How I wept with him ! I think I nev- 
er beheld such a picture of misery in all my life before. 
He had ruined himself, almost, through drink, and he 
was very weak in body, and Satan seemed to claim him 
for hell. The struggle had been severe, and yet no de- 
liverance. 

The next day I found liis saloon closed, and on in- 
quiry could get no clue as to where the man was. This 
was a great trial to me, but I was much relieved in 
prayer, and I felt certain the man was in God's hand, 



174 SIX YEAPvS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

and He would see to him. Three days after, this man 
appeared at our meeting in the mission-room, leaning on 
a cane, and looking very sick. But his face looked dif- 
ferent, and his eyes shone as he stood up to tell us " his 
experience." " That night, when I left you," he said, 
" I had not found peace, but I had given up the cup, 
which has, as it appears, almost killed me, for I am con- 
sumptive, and do not expect to live very long. During 
the night I took very sick, and in the morning I was 
unable to open the saloon. Then I prayed to God in 
some way to deliver me, and rather to let me die 
than to let me go into my business again. That mo- 
ment I could give up everything, including myself, and 
quick as thought I felt and knew my sins had passed 
away. I do not know how long I prayed, but it seemed 
I could not stop praising God. I then sent for my fam- 
ily ; told my wife what God had done for me, and that 
the saloon was to remain closed, and never to be opened 
again. I was now feeling worse, and was taken home, 
and had to go to bed. I thought God would take me 
away ; but He has spared me to tell you what Christ has 
done for me. This morning I felt strong enough to 
leave my bed, and I also know that when I am strong 
enough I shall have work to support my family, for a 
wholesale house in town offered me this afternoon a sit- 
uation as store-house keeper, and they will wait until I 
am strong." 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 175 

This was his own testimony, and what a meeting fol- 
lowed now ! Truly, God had not only saved that man, 
but also sent him there that night to our meeting. 

A Remarkable Conveesion. 

A young man whom I had met in the street as he 
was just going to step into a saloon, and invited him to 
this meeting, was so convicted of sin, that he could not 
leave the room, and desired that we should pray with 
him. We stayed with the young man an hour, and no 
light had come to his poor soul. I could not understand, 
and moving up to him I was led to say, "My poor 
friend, you must be keeping back something from the 
Lord, or else you would be saved. Tell me what it is, 
and God may help me to say something to you." He 
had a hard struggle, but drawing me close up to him, 
he said : " Mr. Krauser, you do n't know what a sinner 
I am, and how shamefully I have sinned against God 
and myself. I cannot give myself to God and be a 
Christian this evening. Oh, if I was well, I might, but 
now I can't — I can't ! " I begged him to tell me what 
was wrong. " You must be cut loose from the power 
of darkness this evening ; you cannot trust yourself to 
leave this room without your Saviour, or you will fall 
deeper than ever." He then told me : " Mr. Krauser, 
I have a terrible disease upon me, and I will be com- 
pelled to go to the hospital to-morrow. How can I ex- 



176 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

pect that Christ will receive me in this condition, and 
what will those at the hospital, and my friends say, if I 
make a profession ? They will laugh at me and call me 
a hypocrite." 

Indeed, I felt that Christ must manifest Himself in^a 
special manner in this case. The fact that this man 
could be saved, and that Jesus would never turn him 
away, although he came " ruined by the fall," was plain 
to me, and I told him Jesus only could and would save 
just now, if he was in earnest about his soul, and would 
believe Christ's invitation as to the " whosoever " and 
the "to-day, if you will hear His voice, harden not 
your heart." Christ had saved a seven-devilled Mary ; 
Christ would not forsake him in the hour of his greatest 
need. 

The young man rallied himself, and cried aloud : 
" Yes, Lord, I will believe ! " 

Oh, that hour was precious ! No one can ever forget 
the sight which our eyes beheld, the moment the soul, 
chained down by Satan by the power of terrible sin, 
burst the fetters by faith in Jesus, and triumphantly 
rose, a pardoned man. Tears of joy burst from his 
eyes, and how could we keep from weeping ? Not an 
eye was dry in the room, and truly the angels rejoiced 
over a sinner that returned to the Father's house in 
deep penitence, but believing — taking God at His 
word. The new-born brother then told us that he had 



IK SOUTH AMEEICA. 177 

been brought up in the Roman Church, and that all his 
people belonged to that church ; " but," said he, " oh 
that they might find this same Jesus ! They are all un- 
saved." 

Good for a BEGm^mG. 

Now provision could be made for my dear wife to 
come up to Valparaiso. A friend gave me the passage 
money, and I sent it to Osorno, and we met. However, 
our income was very small, and I had not been able to 
buy any furniture. We had sufficient bedding, how- 
ever, and so could make our bed upon the bare floor, 
and trusted God in due season to give us a bedstead, 
and such other furniture as we needed. By faith we 
rented a house, — it looked rather empty, and the rent 
very high, — but our hearts were full of God, and we 
knew our Heavenly Father was rich, and with Him we 
rested all our wants. Means for our temporal support 
were coming in freely. The secretary of the Seaman's 
Mission received from all who would freely contribute, 
and my German congregation did all they could. Some- 
times the secretary would run behind in the amount, 
but some one would always make up the necessary 
sum, and never lacked we anything. When God gave 
us a standing, we could get some furniture, to the 
amount of $180, and take our time to pay it. We did 
this in faith, for we believed God would send us the 
amount above our daily neoesbitics. We were also able 



178 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

to spare a few rooms in the house ; and prayed the Lord 
to send ns two good young men, who, in a few days 
after rented the rooms, and thus furnished us the means 
to help paying a rent of $55 per month. 

Native Work. 

My wife then concluded to accompany me in my 
work. Wliile I visited the men in the " maintop," she 
did the work among the females; but when she had 
obtained permission to hold her meetings in a room 
every Sunday, not only females attended, but also the 
men crowded the place. These meetings were purely 
among the natives, and in the Spanish language. God 
wonderfully blessed the natives of that locality. The 
women would bring pieces of carpet, which they used 
to kneel on when in their Roman temples they bowed 
before an image, or at the confessional chair ; and 
eagerly desired that the preacher should stand or kneel 
on the rugs. It showed a good spirit, and the hunger 
and thirst after the word of God increased, and some 
were led into the light, and spoke openly in the meet- 
ings. One evening, five saloon-keepers attended our 
meeting at the room, having come to disturb the assem- 
bly. They kept up the noise while I was preaching, 
but I suddenly stopped and said: "Now, friends, I will 
show you that I can make a greater noise than you can, 
— just let me have a chance and see." I got their at- 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 179 

tention completely, and God blessed me in a message 
directly addressed to these five men, and at the close I 
asked all to get on their knees and pray to God. The 
members of the band present understood the work, and 
while I prayed, dispersed among those assembled, and 
began their " asking the question," and praying with 
those five saloon-keepers. Everybody was on their 
knees, and one of the saloon-keepers cried like a child. 
He said he didn't know what had happened to liim. 

A Native Cokvekted. 

One native, who spoke a little English, had come in, 
and began in a stammering tongue and in broken lan- 
guage to pray to God for the forgiveness of his sins ; 
and soon there was such a noise of voices in the room, 
that with a hearty amen, I closed my prayer, arose, and 
closed the door that led out on the street, and helped to 
work among the seekers, for there were about eight cry- 
ing for mercy. When I went to close the door, a 
Church of England minister, who had desired to see 
something of the work, and had attended that very 
meeting, rose and said : " Well, Bro. Krauser, let me 
out first. God is with you, and I think you can carry 
the meeting to a close. I'll go home." When he had 
left, I could not repress the thought arising : The good 
brother thought he got into a hot place. Certainly he 
thought the meeting got quite " out of order " ; and 



180 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

meeting him afterward, he murmured something about 
" order," " noise," " excitement," and those usual com- 
plaints of the " orderly " class ; but he was a good man 
and rejoiced when he heard that the Lord that night 
had saved five precious souls I He only said : " Well, 
now, five souls ! You'd better be carefuL" Now, these 
good ministerial brethren let me work, but stayed away, 
but then I think they had plenty of work to do. They 
sympathized truly, and helped to raise money to carry 
on the work. 

The Phiests After Me. 

But now the old enemy, Satan, sent a priest to trouble 
us. The house where we rented our room, belonged to 
one of his lambs, and we were told to leave at once. 
There was no use to say a word against it. We must 
leave immediately, for the priest, Mr. , had threat- 
ened that he would not receive her confession, and would 
not grant her absolution ; and the poor woman, the own- 
er of the house, was frightened so much that she dare 
not permit us to stay any longer. The Lord had a bet- 
ter plan for us, only we did not know it at that time ; 
so we thought it a hard trial, on account of the souls 
that were daily being ensnared by Satan. But who 
could be more concerned than the Lord Himself ? and 
we prayed to the Lord for a better place. 

The preparations for removal were commenced the 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 181 

following clay. Some of " the boys " were to help me 
take away the benches, tables, lamps and books ; and 
walking up the street toward the house, we saw, a little 
farther ahead, a woman who had kept a house of ill- 
fame, of the lowest order, vacating her place — moving 
her trunks out. I w^ent up to see what was going on. 
Seeing me stand there, she came up and said : " I have 
concluded to give up the business, and think it 's time 
to think of something better. I '11 try to take in wash- 
ing, and earn a living that way." I took her by the 
hand and said : " God bless you, and help you to be- 
come a Christian woman ! " She said that she would 
try. I had often prayed in that house with the inmates, 
and taken out many young men and brought them over 
to the mission-room, and some had been converted to 
God. But this woman was very talkative, and I could 
have no confidence in anything she said or promised. 
At times she would even speak as though she was a 
Christian, and a very good woman. I considered her 
quite a dangerous person, and remarkably gifted to al- 
lure young men to her den of infamy ; and I really be- 
lieve it was no sincerity that led her to give up the 
house, but rather the " hard times," as some called the 
slack in business since the "missionary" had come 
around. She gave me the address of the owner of the 
house, and running back to my boys, I told them to 
stop moving and wait till I would return, and that I had 



182 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR. 

found the " better place," and that I was on my way to 
rent a large front room, leading directly to the street, 
in the house formerly occupied by Mrs. . 



CHAPTER X. 

m THE HOT-BED OF VICE AND CRIME. 

Ix an hour the arrangements were completed, and our 
furniture removed to the new room. Things looked 
rather dirtj inside, and four of us set immediately to 
work, and before sweeping up, each member of the 
band contributed a little money, and sufficient paper 
was bought to nicely paper the room. I got an apron, 
cut the paper, and while one of the brethren swept the 
walls, another pasted the paper, and I tried my hand at 
paper-hanging, in which I succeeded admirably. Then 
we all set to scrubbing the floor, and soon the place 
looked clean and smelled sweet. " Bless the Lord ! " 
we all said, when we had finished our task. Never did 
work seem so sweet before. Then a brother in the gas- 
fitting business came, when he heard we had got a large 
new room, and presented us with a gas-meter, pipes, and 
two chandeliers, to throw light on the subject ; and in 
three days afterward we dedicated and opened our room. 
In the meantime I visited the saloons and the shipping, 
and held prayer-meetings there ; and wherever I found 
an audience I preached to them. Only one of the five 
rum-sellers who a few days ago attended the meeting at 

183 



184 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

the old place, was brought to God that night ; and an- 
other promised to give up his dancing-house. How- 
ever, a week after that, I found him still engaged in the 
same business, and I waited for the usual dancing even- 
ing, on Thursday, when I expected to have an opportu- 
nity to speak to such people. The dancing-room was 
crowded. Natives and foreigners were present — me- 
chanics and seamen. 

Dancing-House Peopeietoe in Close Quaetees. 

When I came in the rum-seller tried to avoid me ; but 
I walked right up to him, and asked his permission to 
read, sing, and pray with the crowd. He looked desper- 
ate, and said : " Oh, please let us alone, here ! this is 
no place for meeting now, and if you attempt to disturb 
the dance, you '11 get killed here to-night." The crowd 
looked to be a rather wild sort. There were many in- 
toxicated seamen, behaving themselves more like brutes 
than human beings. The rum-seller himself thought 
he had a rough set there that night, and he called my 
attention to the fact. " Now, you know very well I 
do n't mind that," I said, " and if you just consent, it 
will be all right. Do n't you pity these poor fellows ? " 
I went on to say, " and have n't you done harm enough 
in tliis place ? How can you dare turn me away like 
that ? I 've got more right here than you, and more 
right than the devil who damns these souls to hell. 



m SOUTH AMERICA. 185 

God wants to save tliese harlots, gamblers, blasphemers, 
and drunkards; yes, God wants to save you, too. Are 
you not ashamed to send me away? Now come, my 
good frieiid, let me shake your strong hand ; just see 
these hard hands ! Ah, yes, you used to work once with 
these strong hands, and in the sweat of your brow, and 
bread tasted sweet, then ; but oh, to-day it is so very 
different, and so much different now from the days 
when you were quite a little boy, and your dear mother 
used to take you up on her lap, and folded your little 
hands. They were clean, then, and innocent, and she 
taught you to pray ' Our Father, which art in heaven.' " 
I looked at him, and tried to catch his eye. The poor 
fellow was quite broken up, now, and he gently said : 
" Go on, Mr. Krauser, I know you are right ; I can 't re- 
fuse you." 

Thankful to my Redeemer, and my soul filled with 
wondrous love, I turned toward the assembly, and be- 
gan singing a hymn. They instantly stopped the music 
and the dancing, and the deafening noise ceased to be. 
For a few moments they were aw^^truck, and stood 
staring at me ; but then a drunken sailor broke the si- 
lence, and breaking out in curses, advanced toward me 
and caught my arm, and like a rag he began whirling 
me round in the middle of the room, and then, with an 
oath, he let me go suddenly, and I shot across the hall 
into the next corner, and landed squarely on a chair. 



186 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

Everybody was in an uproar of laughter, and they 
thought it was great fun, and now ihej watched me to 
see what I would do next. But I did not stir. I felt 
as sweet as ever, and remaining right where I was, com- 
fortably seated on a chair, and finishing the hymn, I 
opened the Bible, which had not fallen from my grasp 
in the rather unsought-for exercise, and was about to be- 
gin to read. Again there was a few seconds of silence ; 
but now my friend got fairly mad, and, coming toward 
me to get hold of me once more, he was confronted by 
another seaman, who x)laced himself at that instant be- 
tween me and the assailant. Clinching his big fist, he 
shouted : " Who dares touch this man, has to come this 
way first ! Do n't you know he is a minister ? Now 
dare, if you will ! I do n't think it will do us any harm 
to listen to what he will say." I arose now and said 
to the two men before me : " I am glad to see you are 
both so courageous, and I 'm sure you won't be afraid if 
I now tell you what God says about poor sinners in this 
book, and how he loves them. Just sit down, all of 
you, and then I '11' go on." Everybody obeyed, and a 
pin might be heard to fall on the floor. 

How TO Manage. 

" Now, let's have a good hymn. I know sailor-boys 
like to sing. Let's have a sailor's hymn — old Sankey's 
hymn — ' r uU for the shore, sailor, pull for the shore ! ' 



m SOUTH AlVIEEICA. 187 

The wliok crowd joined in, and the voices were strong 
and clear. Then I told them of Jesus and His love, 
and I told them of a young man who used to visit here, 
and whom some of them knew, and said : " Now, jou 
don't know what has become of poor Wickliff. I'll tell 
you. I met him at the hospital the other day, and now 
he's dead. I watched him pass over the river ; but he 
didn't talk any more as he used to. You know he often 
attended our meetings down in the room, and he would 
n't give up his sins ; he didn't want to give you up, and 
he kept on sticking to you, and got drunk with you 
nearly every night, until you saw him walk about like 
a shadow, dirty and sick, and you deserted him, and 
tried to forget him. But Wickliff told me his story be- 
fore he died. He raised himself up in his bed and told 
me to come up closer. He said : ' Mr. Krauser, I am 
going to die, and I am only twenty-two years old.' He 
hid his face in his hands, and then wept bitterly. What 
do you suppose the poor boy remembered ? I think his 
lost young life rose up before him. He then bent over 
to me and whispered, ' My mother ! ' Ah, that was it. 
' My mother ! ' he repeated, and then tears choked his 
voice. My boys, do you remember a mother to-night? 
I wonder whether Wickliff's mother ever prayed with 
him. That was just what was the matter. He went on, 
then, and said : ' My mother used to pray for me. I 
could not stand it, and I ran away. But I wrote her I 



188 SIX YEABS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

would send lier money, for I knew she depended on me 
for a living. I never sent her any, I spent it all in 
drink, and now I'm here dying. I have killed myself.' 
He hid his face again and cried. I told Wickliif about 
Jesus, and I saw how he stretched out his feeble hands, 
and cried : ' O Jesus, save me, a poor sinner ! don't let 
me die and be lost ! ' God answered his prayer before 
he passed away, and he said, when he could scarcely 
whisper, ' Jesus, blessed Jesus ! Yes, Jesus saves me 
now ! ' Only one bitter thought rose up once more. 
He said : ' Only twenty-two years — all lost I ' Then 
he passed over. God has taken him ; you will never 
see him more, unless you prepare for heaven. God save 
you all ; let us pray, and get down on our knees, and 
you cry out to God to have mercy on you, miserable sin- 
ners. You will die in your sins if you don't." 

There were no dry eyes in that strange assembly, and 
while I prayed, many sighs and groans were heard, and 
then many came down to the meeting-room with me 
when I quitted the place, and some there found the 
Saviour. 

Tv/o days after this meeting, the dancing-house was 
no more ; and visiting the boiler-works soon after, and 
while among the workmen distributing tracts, whom 
should I find but my tall American, who kept that 
dancing-house. I took him by the hand, and looking 
straight at him, asked : " And how tastes the bread 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 189 

now ? " " Oh, much sweeter, really, I assure you." 
" Have you given your heart to Jesus ? " " No, but I 
hope to find Him yet." 

Attempt to Cut His Throat. 

At our meeting one evening, a man came and said: 
" I have been a drunkard for eight years, and have had 
the delirium tremens thrice. Last Sunday I was ar- 
rested at the moment when I had placed the razor to 
my throat, to cut it from ear to ear. I have just been 
released again, and I heard the singing in this place, 
and now my mind is quite made up, not to leave it 
again until I am saved," and bursting out in tears, he 
added : " for I cannot trust myself a moment alone ^ I 
might do the same thing again ; and while now I am 
speaking to you this horrible appetite for strong drink 
is coming upon me again. O Lord, save me ! O Lord, 
save me now ! " 

When he thus cried, the unhappy man fell on his 
face and prayed God in pitiful tones to save him, right 
now. We all prayed with him, and I saw the dear man 
rising to his feet, full of hope and fear, and proclaiming 
the Lord to be his Saviour. He became a member of 
our little band. 

There was the old man Watson : he kept a wretched 
haunt for thieves and gamblers. I visited him one 
evening, but when I stepped in at the front door every- 



190 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

body disappeared into the back part of the house. 
Watson knew me, and often tried to baffle my attempts 
to pray at his house ; but at last gave it up and tried 
another game. He turned friendly, and even came to 
the meetings ; but when I came to his house he man- 
aged to hide the occupants, and only three or four men 
would remain in the room ; but he would take down 
the lamp from the dirty wall, and hold it while I read 
to the men, and then would run to the front door and 
shut it during prayer. Now, I could soon see through 
it all. Watson thought, " Now he won't be so hard on 
me, and ask me so much about my soul, and trouble me 
to give up this business. I'll just be friendly and oblig- 
ing, and even tell him that I'll try to seek the Lord." 
But that night I had " slipped up " on him, and had 
seen the men disappear. I just took the old man aside, 
and said : " Now, Watson, it's no use your playing the 
hypocrite any longer. I tell you you are nearer hell to- 
night than you ever were in all your life ; you are tr}^- 
ing a trick on me, and the devil has been your school- 
master. You know you are cheating yourself, and no- 
body else. Poor fellow ! you're badly off. I pity you. 
I wish you would just come to Jesus to-night. You 
know how the Lord saved me. I've been worse than 
you, but Jesus took pity and saved me all over. Now, 
do you think I'd be wasting time with a rascal like you, 
if Jesus had n't picked me up, and made a new man of 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 191 

rue ? I know you think me to be just what I say I am, 
and now you are trying to ' smooth me over,' so that 
you can go on with your dirty business. Come, now, 
old man, and we'll pray together ; but get me those 
men you're hiding from me. If you don't I'll turn this 
house upside down, and you know very well you have 
not got a corner in this house that I don't know. I'll 
find them, if you don't." 

The wretched man took my hand, and said : " I know 
I am a bad man. Yes, I'm a bad man. I wish I could 
be better ; but what can I do ?" — "Do like I did, seek 
the Lord Jesus, the Saviour ; confess your sins, and be- 
lieve in His name. If you will quit your hypocrisy, 
and be in earnest about it, you'll find an earnest Sav- 
iour, who will save you in a moment." 

Hunting Souls. 
Then leaving Watson, I went out into the back yard, 
and hauled my audience out of every corner and every 
room, striking matches as I went on, and calling on 
them to come out. "I know you are here, and you 
needn't hide." I told them : " I love every one of you, 
and want you to be as happy as I am. Just see what 
cowards the devil makes of you ! The light of a match 
scares you to death, and you feel ashamed when you 
think of it. Now, come, let's have a meeting." Some- 
times, in other places, they did the same thing, and in 



192 SIX YEAHS WITH WLLLIAIkl TAYLOR 

that way I would often hunt up eight or ten men, and 
the meeting would always be a wonderful blessing. 
Oh, praise the Lord ! how these difficulties and hard- 
ships made the word clear and blessed to myself and 
them ! I could now read human nature, as I never 
could before. My faith in God became simpler, more 
childlike, and peaceful. There was no power on earth 
nor in hell that could stop the progress of the Lord's 
work in those dens of wickedness. Though often in im- 
minent danger, God — the blessed Holy Ghost — a per- 
sonal Holy Ghost — seemed so real in His abiding pres- 
ence, that I was perfectly conscious of His walking in 
me, and living in me. The supernatural agency ever 
present in protecting me, had become more real to me 
than I can express with the words of faith. But it seem- 
ed visible to my eyes, and tangible to the grasp of my 
hand. Holding my Bible seemed to me as taking hold 
of the sword, and in it I possessed the Holy Ghost. I 
shall never be able to fathom all I know and feel, or to 
express it in my poor language ; but I think the lan- 
guage of heaven will bring it all out, and relieve me 
from the weight that I feel hanging to my tongue now, 
without being able to shake it off ; and I believe " the 
mists will roll away," that now cloud my poor brain. 
The twilight of the resurrection morn will break into a 
fair and ever-sunny day. No more " supposing Him to 
be," we understand and give Him all the glory. Yet it 



TN SOUTH AMERICA.. 193 

• 

is but in part we know, and " Who is Christ ? " in heav- 
en's light appears in fullest meaning. We will and shall 
be able to tell it all in glor j. The angels cannot tell it, 
but the blood-washed can, quite well. Amen. Praise 
the Lord, O mj soul, for ever and ever ! 

A Teerlble Death. 

A few days after this talk with Watson, I was called 
out, after an evening meeting. Some men came up and 
asked me to go with them to Watson's place — some- 
thing awful had happened. It was only about fifty 
yards from the meeting-room, and I soon reached the 
place. I found a great many people crowded about the 
door, and looking rather strange. " What is the mat- 
ter ? " I inquired of the men. " Go in and see, sir." I 
made my way through the crowd, and in the dark and 
filthy-looking room where he had often heard me speak 
and pray, there lay Watson, stretched on a board upon 
two chairs — a corpse ! He was dead ! I stood there 
for a few moments, and could not say a word. One of 
the men then said : " You see, Mr. Krauser, they' ve had a 
big time here to-night. They had dancing, and Watson 
got awfully drunk, and while he was dancing and jump- 
ing about, he all of a sudden fell down. We thought 
he had only fallen down because he was so drunk; but 
when we went to help liim up, we saw that he was dead." 
That was the terrible end of the rum-seller. I turned 



194 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

and gave my message to the bystanders. The moment 
was an awful one. There lay the victim of rum. Few 
men heard the Gospel as this man had heard it ! It 
had been a savor unto death to him. I said : " Be not 
deceived. God is not mocked — what a man soweth 
that shall he also reap. Awful judgment ! My God, 
save this people ! Now you want me to bury this man ; 
yes, that is the way you do. When ''one dies you send 
for the clergyman to bury your dead, — that is the way 
you treat your loving Saviour. But funeral sermons 
won't save you. You know how Watson used to live, 
and you know how he died, and so shall every one die 
who will not come to God. It will come upon you like 
a thief in the night, in an hour when you think not. 
Be ye therefore ready. If you will all come to the fu- 
neral, and bring your friends with you, I will bury this 
man and preach to you in the chapel of the cemetery." 

When I had said this, and appointed the hour, I left 
them, and went away deeply impressed with what I had 
seen and heard this night. While others were being 
saved, this man sank into a drunkard's grave. This 
case was similar to one sometime ago in a German fam- 
ily. Two daughters of this family had joined the Ger- 
man Methodist Church which I had organized in this 
city. The mother, who was extremely worldly and very 
fond of dancing, had been exhorted by her children to 
give up the world. This was on Saturday, and tliey 



IN SOUTH A^klERICA. 195 

had asked her to come with them to church to-morrow. 
But the mother said no, she would never come to 
church, nor could she believe in the existence of God. 
The poor children were frightened at what the mother 
said, and with tears begged her to recant what she had 
just uttered ; but she would not do it. Then they beg- 
ged her to give up a party which she was to attend that 
night, and stay with the children, for they feared to let 
her go after she had said that she did not believe in 
God. But she said : " I will go, and if it is for the last 
time, I shall have a dance." That unhappy mother 
was carried to her home, a corpse, early on Sunday 
morning. She had fainted, apparently, while dancing. 
Friends laid her on the sofa; but the woman never 
arose. She had died of heart disease, — not, however, 
without a warning. 



CHAPTER XL 

TIMES OF SPECIAL YISITATIOI^. 

No wonder people began to consider the question of 
salvation, and the spirit of inquiry at this time was 
something wonderful. On shore, and in the bay, the 
soul-saving work was going on. The Holy Spirit smote 
the hearts of the people everywhere, and daily precious 
souls were brought to Jesus. On one ship in the bay 
— the Seneca — five men were converted to God; on 
another, the Stormy Petrel^ the entire ship's company, 
from the chief officer down to the last man on board, 
were converted, and three of the number found holi- 
ness before the ship left for England. On board a third 
ship, the fire spread, and one of the men tried to run 
away from God. When he saw me coming down to the 
forecastle, he hid himself, but I was looking for him. 
I knew every place and corner in the ship, and I started 
for the chain-locker — a place where chains and ropes 
were kept. It had only a small door to it, just large 
enough for a man to crawl through. I opened it and 
struck a match; but I could not see anything. He 
could not be anywhere else, as I had looked carefully 
about me on the outside. So I crawled in on all fours, 
196 



IN SOUTH AJSIEETCA. 197 

sliut the door beliind me, and lighted seN^eral matches, 
and crawled into every nook and corner. At last I dis- 
covered my man , — he had pulled a lot of ropes over 
his head, but there he was. My matches had given out, 
and I said : " Ah, there you are ! just stay where you 
are — we '11 have it out right there." Sol crawled up 
to him in the dark, and began to pray with him there. 
He was deeply convicted for sin, and he knew his hour 
had come when he must settle the question with God. 
I was glad that I had found him, for I soon heard him 
weep there in the dark, and he finally prayed for him- 
self. We then left this place together, and the young 
man looked like a new man. He could praise God in- 
deed, for deliverance from the power of darkness. His 
soul had been turned to the light. 

The funeral service of Watson was a wonderful meet- 
ing. Everybody in the chapel was on their knees, and 
I believe this place had never witnessed such a meeting 
before. At the close I gave them another invitation to 
the mission-room, and most of those present at the fu- 
neral promptly responded, and the evening was remark- 
able. 

An Aged DpcUnkaed Cokyeeted. 

A man who had been a drunkard for twenty years, 
prayed for pardon, and another whom drink had 
brought to the verge of the grave, prayed earnestly 
that God might save him from his sins. Both men were 



198 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

converted to God. The one became a faithful worker 
as a member of our band, and God used him wonder- 
fully among his friends. The other man died three 
days afterward, in his room. The night previous he 
had been at the meeting in the room where God con- 
verted him. He was then so weak that he could hardly 
stand on his feet, and with ii trembling voice he gave 
his testimony for Christ, and said that God had kept 
him faithful since the moment he had found peace ; 
and although he knew that when he gave up drink it 
would kill him, as he had gone too far already, yet he 
would not touch a drop to steady his nerves. He said 
he knew he had not long to live, but he desired, only 
one thing — to die in faith ; and then he asked us to 
pray for him. His speech seemed peculiarly impressive, 
as he stood there ; his long snowy hair, that trembling, 
earnest voice, and his beaming face. No one thought 
that this was his last testimony for Jesus on earth. 
We should see his face no more. He was found dead 
in his bed the next morning. He had gone to heaven 
to see his Saviour, whom he had found ; but alas ! so 
late. 

I was much grieved to find that two men, who had 
professed conversion some time ago, had gone back to 
the world, — the one to drink ; but the other in a mo- 
ment of severe temptation yielded and stole the sum of 
eighty dollars from a Christian brother with whom he 



IN SOTJTH AMEEICA. 199 

occupied a room. Oh, how bitter that was ! I wept 
before the Lord, and wondered why this was permitted 
to befall me. I could tell no one my griefs, for who 
could understand me ? It was a terrible blow. A few 
days later I received a letter from the man, telling me 
about liis terrible struggle, and how at last he yielded. 
He had taken the money and spent it all in these few 
nights, and then he closed this sad letter with — "I am 
lost." The brother who had lost the money in this 
way, bore the loss in wonderful submission to the Lord. 
He had worked hard for it, and since the Lord had con- 
verted him had been able to save this amount. He was 
the same man who, a few months ago, had received the 
Saviour and was taken to the hospital the following 
day. He was now one of the noblest workers in our 
fellowship band. 

Obganization of a Good Teiniplaes' Lodge. 

My Sunday meetings in saloon No. 1 and No. 2, had 
now for some time been discontinued, on account of the 
work increating in the mission-room ; but the places 
had been visited the same as the others ; but now I 
made a call on Mr. B., in No. 1, and asked him to at- 
tend a temperance meeting, to be held to-morrow night. 
He promised to be there. Invitations were given to as 
many as we could seat, and the meeting night drew 
near. A good many persons were in attendance, espe- 



200 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

cially those residing in the city — Americans, English, 
Swedes, and Germans. After delivering my lecture, a 
table was brought to the platform and an invitation 
was given to step forward to sign the temperance 
pledge. The first man that left the ranks of the enemy 
was Mr. B., rum-seller No. 1. We shook hands, and 
he said, honestly : " I 've enough of this now — I quit 
it to-night, God helping me." He gave up his saloon, 
and kejjt only boarders ; but business was very dull. 
He had lost many customers, but he was not discour- 
aged. The following night I organized a Lodge of 
Good Templars, and all those who had signed the 
pledge, and others, were present. Fifty-one members 
were received into the order the first evening, and soon 
we numbered one hundred and fifty. The principal 
point in the work had been gained. These men were 
drawn from the dens of vice, and many had been con- 
verted, and others became teetotalers — working in the 
cause of temperance. The result was that six of the 
rum-sellers had to close their saloons, and look for other 
employment. 

A SailopvS' Home Called ixto Beixg. 

I then called upon some of my ministerial brethren 
and told them the time had come when something must 
be done for the seamen coming to this port. There 
was no l^QflQC for them here — they had no place where 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 201 

they were well-treated and cared for — and I asked 
them to assist in raising the necessary funds. Dr. T., of 
Valparaiso, who has been working here for the last forty 
years, took a lively interest in this new plan, and influ- 
enced some of the members of his church to give mon- 
ey. Some merchants also helped, and several thousand 
dollars were raised to buy the necessary furniture. The 
house was soon found, and rented. It was an old hotel, 
containing fifty-four rooms. 

An Ex-Rumseller Becomes the Administrator 
OF THE Sailors' Hoinie. 

Now, the proper man for the home was found in my 
friend and reformed rumseller No. 1. " God bless 
you! " I said to Mr. B., as I told him I wanted him for 
the Sail^s' Home. He was much surprised at first ; but 
joyfully accepted. After the first three months, the 
house was self-supporting. It paid the house-rent of 
1150 per month, the salary of the administrator, the 
wages of all the servants, and all the expenses to run 
the institution. Meetings were established in the 
house for the seamen, and I placed the first books into 
the library, and went about begging books for the Home 
wherever I could, and printed the labels on my hand- 
press to paste on the books. And nobly did the friends 
assist me in starting this Seamen's Home. The Record^ 
the organ of an English Church of this place, said, in a 



202 SIX YEAP.S WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

report some time after : " And Rev. Von Barcliwitz- 
Krauser assisted in starting the Seamen's Home." 
Now, I wonder whether the church members or the 
merchants wanted the glory of this work, or whether it 
would be better to give it to God alone. It would have 
been better to say nothing, if they could not come out 
squarely and say : " All glory be to God for our Sailors' 
Home ! " How many persons are there in the world 
that are just proud enough to give some money and 
then expect to be praised for it, and think that it is all 
the work required of them. Such will not bend a 
finger to bring it about ; but when the Lord has done 
it, some " graciously " give, and say : " Now, I did it ! " 
They have hired the Lord to do it for them. God save 
us from all pride and vain-glory, through the truth ! 
The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, 
— cutting, piercing, and dividing asunder to the bones 
and marrow ; and we might as well face the truth while 
yet on earth, and stand the '' trimming," and we shall 
all be better prepared to bring forth fruit, and thus 
glorify God, who will not give His glory to another. 
When men do attempt to get glory to themselves, they 
are often put to shame immediately. Proud boasters 
become cowards, and must flee. 

I had visited a brothel, together with a brother whom 
his shipmates formerly called the " ship's devil." We 
found six young men there, apprentices from some of 



IK SOUTH AMERICA. 203 

the sailing-vessels in the harbor. After shaking hands 
all around, I sat down to read the word to them, and 
then exhorted them to come to Jesus. One of the men 
began to swear at me and use profane language. I only 
replied : '' We will now talk wi:h God, and pray." 
The young man now jumped up, and angrily confront- 
ing me, said : " If you attempt to pray here, I'll stand 
on my head, sir." — " All right, my boy ; you stand on 
your head, and I will pray. Let us see who can hold 
out longest." Without saying more, we all knelt in 
prayer. While praying there was great quietness in 
the room, only once there was a rustling behind me, and 
some one opening a door, and closing it with a bang. 
God had blessed us in praying, and I called also on the 
brother to pray, who did so. When we arose, I turned 
about, and said : " Where is the man that would stand 
on liis head? " — " He ran away, sir, when you had knelt 
down to pray." Ah, yes, poor fellows, cannot bear the 
presence of God when brought in contact with Him in 
the house of prayer. Their glorying in their own 
strength, and vain boasting, is put to shame. 

Opikioxs of some Ship-Mastees. 

Some five masters of ships told me one day : " Now, 
Mr. Krauser, it is no use doing anything for a sailor, — 
the best treatment is a belaying-pin across the head, and 
a few good kicks." — "Now, friends," I said, "you are 



204 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOB 

not alone in this ; you've got one who is quite in sym- 
pathy with you on this point, and that is your master, 
tlie devil ; but you are not the men to encourage me in 
my work, and so I trust the Lord and go right ahead. 
Satan wants no better thing to accomplish his designs, 
than men like you ; but, remember, Jesus reigneth, and 
His has had the victory over many a poor, down-trod- 
den sailor, and He will be victor always." 

The leader in this conversation — an American captain 
— a few days after was taken to the hospital. He had 
lost his reason. When he got a little better^ they sent 
him home, where he died soon after. It seems hard, 
but God does not need such men to live on the earth ; 
but they can be saved, and God can use them. O that 
man might cease to merely " exist," but live ! 

A poor sailor, who had often attended our meetings, 
instead of coming to God and accepting the invitation 
of Jesus, got worse and worse. When he attended the 
meeting the other night, it was to be the last night that 
we could pray with him. He left the room, and said : 
" It's no use, I won't be a Christian," and he went and 
made himself drunk — so much so, that in the night, 
walking along the water's edge, on the landing-pier, he 
fell over, and before he could be taken up out of the 
water, he was drowned. What shall I say to these 
things? They are awful records. O that God would 
impress us solemnly to live as in the sight of eternity, 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 205 

and with holy and pure lives, that we might be princes, 
— kings and priests unto God ; and as such, to have 
power with God and with men, and be thoroughly fur- 
nished unto all good works, that we might by all means 
save some — that we might go into the highways and 
search the hedges, and compel them to hear the Gospel. 
Thank God ! there are ways to compel sinners to hear 
the Gospel. 

A German, who kept a drinking-place and brothel, 
forbade me emphatically to come into his house ; but in 
front of his door, on the street, he had no right over 
me, and so we had some meetings there. 

A Stkeet-Meetln^g ii^ Feont of a Beothel. 

One day, however, he managed to set some young 
men on the track, to disturb us, and, if possible, to pick 
a quarrel with me. Most of the rumsellers had given 
up this work in despair, for I would never quarrel ; but 
this German was a hard case. However, as in this 
case, he did not try it liimself, but always sent some 
poor, unsuspecting sailors, to put their fingers into the 
fire for him. A few glasses of beer or whiskey, and 
now for " the fun." They came out and began their 
manoeuvres. I stopped talking, of course, and after 
waiting a few moments, said : " Now, as soon as you 
are through with what you have to say, I'll go on." 
For a minute or two they looked at me, and I had just 



206 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

taken up my subject, when one of the party stepped in 
front of me, and said ; " Now, here, stop that nonsense. 
You needn't preach to us about these stories, we don't 
believe you, anyway." But now matters looked differ- 
ent, — several men in the crowd raised their voices in 
my defence, and as the young man made no signs te re- 
treat, the men walked up and were about to give the 
fellow a sound thrashing. I interposed at once, and 
the enemy got out of sight in double quick. The au- 
dience had doubled in number by this time, and I went 
on preaching to them, and then marched them off to 
the mission-room. Some followed, and some did not; 
but those who did were richly blesssed, and so as to 
leave a hope that I shall meet a few iu heaven; and I 
pray God that sooner or later, all who heard the word 
preached by his humble servant, in simple faitli, in these 
parts of God's vineyard, in some way may be brought 
to Christ. 

It was remarkable in what way and manner the enemy 
of mankind sometimes would try to place hindrances 
in the way of the work. After a Sabbath's service in 
the harbor, on the Monday following, a captain came to 
me on the street, in great anger, and said : " Mr. Krau- 
ser, I have sworn to hinder your work in the bay in 
every possible way I can. If I can do it, you shall not 
have a ship for service while I am here in the harljor. 
Yesterday, while you were preaching on the main deck, 



IK SOUTS AMERICA. 207 

a lot of sailors from other ships remained i]i the 
forecastle and had bottles of whiskey with them, and 
they, with a few of the men belonging to the ship, got 
drunk, and the captain got in great trouble with the 
men. Now your work must be stopped." Shaking his 
fist, he left me. 

A Bit of Adyice. 

Next day I yisited that captain on board of his ship, 
and had a good long talk with him. I told him that 
the officers of the ship were to be blamed if there was 
any blame to it, and not the preaching of the Gospel; 
'' but if you godless captains can throw dirt on Christ, 
and His work, you are only too ready to do it. Don't 
you think one of the officers might stand at the head of 
the gangway and see to it that every visitor takes his 
seat where such has been provided for him?" — ''Yes, 
yes, you 're right. I think that 's a good idea." — 
" Now, are you not ashamed of your conduct yester- 
day ? " — " Ah, now you are pushing me too close, sir." 
— " No, I do n't ; you were one of that crowd yester- 
day who cried out some years ago : ' Away with Him ! 
avvTiy with Him ! ' and rather desired a tliief or a mur- 
derer, and would not that Christ should go on in His 
work, and bless my sailor boys. Is it not so?" — 
" Well," said he, " that 's rough, but never mind ; you 
just come here next Sunday, and announce service to 
be held on board my ship for that day." — " Now, that 



208 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

is sensible enough," I said to liim ; "but if you don't 
give up your drinking and all the rest of your sins, you 
cannot save your soul ; and I hope that you will begin 
this day to pray to God for Christ's sake to forgive you." 
The poor man could not see his way clear to do that, 
" at once," but when I left him he had received more 
light on the subject of Christian religion than he ever 
had before, and I do hope the dear Saviour will lead the 
captain to repentance. Thus the devices of the enemy 
are frustrated, and the blessed Redeemer is glorified. 
Truly, also, God taketh the wise in their own craftiness, 
and causes His children to praise Him. I do pray God 
that the design in writing these experiences in the work, 
may be accomplished, and lead sinners to seek their 
God, and see how terribly the enemy deceives poor blind 
sinners ; and, secondly, bless Christians in reading this, 
in such a way that they may go out to work for God in 
winning souls for Jesus, and laugh at impossibilities, 
and know that perfect love casteth out all fear. 

How I Paid a Debt. 

How wonderfully God will provide us with things we 
need, can be seen by the following experience, which I 
desire to tell to the glory of God. 

For a considerable time I had been much depressed in 
my heart, because of the debt of ^180, we still owed for 
our furniture. Eight months had passed since the pur- 



rN- SOUTH AMEEICA. 209 

chase, but our income supplied only the running ex- 
penses. I at once prayed to God to send the money to 
pay that debt, now. I told my wife, and we prayed to- 
gether. The following day the burden of that debt in- 
creased, and I said to wife : "You pray here in the din- 
ing-room, while I pray up stairs : and we will both pray 
that the Lord may send us the money at once." Now, 
while praying, I felt something was giving way, and I 
obtained the promise, "When you pray, believe that 
you receive it, and ye shall have it." I claimed the 
amount. The burden left me immediately, and I arose 
with great peace in my soul. Going down stairs my 
dear wife came to meet me, and her face looked so bright 
when she said, " The Lord has heard us, and I can rest 
now : He will give it to us." She had received the same 
blessing while I prayed up stairs. In the afternoon, a 
Christian brother, but poor in worldly possessions, who 
had received the blessing of a clean heart in one of my 
meetings, called on me. I was glad to see him, and he 
said : " Brother, we have been much exercised on your 
account since yesterday. We felt to pray much for 
you, and I have come over to see what is really the mat- 
ter here at your home." I felt so happy and peaceful 
in my heart, that I did not think about our last two 
days' experience, and did not for a moment think the 
brother alluded to it, as he could not possibly know 
anything about our wants. So I just told him I was 



210 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAJVI TAYLOR 

glad he prayed for us, and that I felt much disposed to 
praise the Lord all day long, and added : " If, at any 
time, God has blessed me and my wife, it is surely now," 
and that I did not see that anything else was the matter. 
The brother seemed glad to hear this, and said that he 
had been impressed by the Spirit to come over and see 
me, and as everything was all right, he started to go 
back home, after we had spoken about some other 
things. I went with him to the door. Then he took 
my hand, and looking at me, said : " Now, brother, are 
you sure there is nothing you want ? " I did not un- 
derstand what he meant, and I told him so. He then 
said in an undertone : " Bro. K., I know you have not 
been able to pay for your furniture yet; you did not 
know that I was acquainted with the fact, and when 
yesterday, during family prayers, we prayed for you, 
and again this morning, we were much concerned about 
you, and I do n't know how it came, but I thought 
about that debt. I cannot help you, dear brother, you 
know that ; but we can help you pray for the money." 
While the brother was talking thus I could hold back 
no longrer. I had listened with amazement to what he 
said, and now I told him my experience, and how, for 
the last two days, we had prayed to God for that very 
same thing. The brother was overjoyed to hear what 
he did, and grp^sping my hand, said : " Surely God is 
sending you the money : I will go on praying until you 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 211 

do get it." Now that was remarkable, and as I sat 
down Avith my wife, we talked about this, and wondered 
what would come next. We felt as if at any mo- 
ment some one might step into the room and give us 
the money. But evening came and nothing had arrived 
yet. Our faith was severely tried — it was quite cer- 
tain the money was to come somehow that night. Both 
I and my wife had never felt so trustful and resting 
upon God as in this particular case, and there was no 
wavering experienced. We had just finished our sup- 
per, when the bell rang. I opened the door and admit- 
ed the brother who had called on me in the afternoon, 
accompanied by his wife. We welcomed them heartily 
and invited them in. We had conversed only a few 
minutes, when the brother took a letter from his pocket 
and handed it to me ; and I, thanking him, put it into 
my pocket, to read it after the visitors should have re- 
tired. But he said : " Not so, I want you to read it now, 
and give me an answer." I saw both he and his wife 
smiling, so I opened the letter, and there was nothing 
written in it ; but I held in my trembling hand two one- 
hundred dollar bills. I could not speak, but I wept. 
The joy was too much for me. I arose and embracing 
the brother, I wept on his neck, while the two sisters 
did the same. Then I pressed my wife to my heart, and 
tenderly kissing her, I said : " God is good." — " Yes," 
was all she could whisper. It was a great blessing to 



212 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

US, and a scene wliicli angels love to behold. When we 
had recovered somewhat, I wanted to know all about 
it — how the Lord had provided that money, for I knew 
that this poor man did not possess that amount to give 
away. He said : " It is very simple. Soon after I left 
you in the afternoon, I had some business down town. 
A gentleman had told me to come to his office and get 
a key to his house, which I was to clean up, and do some 
painting. After I had made my arrangement with him, 
he said : " Mr. W., you are a friend of Mr. K. ? " — " Yes, 
sir." — "You know how he is getting along? " — " Yes, 
he is getting along well — the Lord is blessing liim in 
his work." — '' Well, that is not what I mean.. I know 
that: but how is he getting along financially ? " ~ " Oh, 
I guess pretty well." — " Do you know whether he is in 
need just now ? " — " Yes, I believe he is just now in a 
little pinch." — " Well, I thought so. Now, Mr. W., 
do me the favor to hand to Mr. K. this envelope. I had 
it ready to send before you came in, but as you live 
near by, just run over. I am glad to have heard what 
you said." Bro. W. continued and said : " I myself did 
not know how much there was in that envelope ; I had 
no.idea ; but I trusted the Lord would make it all right." 
Now, could we not all see the hand of God so plain in 
this whole matter from beginning to end ? How did 
God use just these two men, and in particular this poor 
man, to be the messenger to bring the letter to our 



TN SOUTH AMEEICA. 213 

house ! What a blessing it proved to be to both ! Oh, 
how good and kind is our Heavenly Father ! We had a 
regular good old-fashioned Methodist class-meeting be- 
fore we separated, telling what God had done for us in 
the past. There was no need to say : " Lord, increase 
our faith." Walking in the light, we simply would be- 
lieve — take God at His word. We had received above 
that which we had asked. Praise His name ! 

Tobacco Experiences. 

In a meeting on board ship, I gave my experience in 
tobacco. At the close a captain present related the fol- 
lowing : " Tobacco, for a long time, held me a prisoner, 
as it does most sailors, until one day the light came to 
me that it was rather a foolish way of spending money, 
and that this money belonged to the Lord, and 
that I had no right to consume it on such an appetite 
as that. So I laid tobacco aside from a sense of 
duty. I was tempted severely, and I thought, ' I am 
able to fight against it,' and I rather took pride in the 
thought that I could. One morning, however, I caught 
myself stuffing a pipe, and never found it out until I 
struck a match to light it. I felt ashamed. I laid it 
aside and said : ' I '11 never touch it again ! ' Soon after 
I was called to take my ship to Smyrna, and run against 
two fine clipper-ships. The owners of the ships had 
set out a ten-pound note for the one who should reach 



214 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

the port first. You cannot imagine how I was tempted 
on tobacco during that voyage, as for hours I walked 
the deck, watching the wind and weather, in order to 
take every possible advantage. I felt a burning desire 
to smoke — to be occupied with something. But now 
comes the light and the victory. The devil told me, 
' You must get your pipe.' I ran down into my cabin, 
and falling down upon my knees, prayed God to cleanse 
my heart from this desire for the filthy stuff. It then 
occurred to me that I had not been to God with it be- 
fore. I prayed now for God to save me, and then and 
there I was delivered. My work on deck was now 
much easier, and my undivided attention was given to 
the sailing. I did not have that feeling of ease and 
carelessness that one experiences in smoking. My ship 
was in Smyrna two days before the two other vessels." 
Another captain said : " One day, walking on deck, I 
was clearly convicted about my smoking. I took the 
short pipe out of my mouth, and looking at it, I clenched 
my fist and just said : ' What ! you dirty little black 
pipe, you were trying to get me under, and make me 
your slave ! Never ! ' and with that I suited the action 
to the word, and threw pipe and tobacco overboard, and 
then, thanked God for deliverance, and like my friend. 
Captain Parnell, I have never been troubled with a de- 



in south america. 215 

Pbayer ok a Jib-Boom. 

The Lord converted three of the seamen on board of 
the ship Rose of Devon, Another had sat down on the 
jib-boom, hoping to be out of reach. I went after him, 
and holding on to the ropes, I prayed with him there. 

That afternoon I visited the hospital, and saw a sick 
man. He sat near the window, between two beds. 
After conversing with him for a time, I asked him 
whether I should pray with him. He replied that I 
might save myself the trouble. I said it was not any 
trouble, and I knelt down and prayed. The poor man 
arose from his seat, and stepping over my head, went 
away ; but I prayed on. The man went as far as the 
door, then he stopped and watched me. When I came 
towards him he went away. David says : " Thou alone 
makest me to dwell in safety." Those who turn away 
from God are not safe. Whether sick or well, can we 
lie down and sleep in peace outside of God ? What an 
opportunity the sick have to commune with their own 
hearts (Ps. iv.) ! Not always, however. Many have 
waited, and put off the day of salvation. 

In the Gkip of Death. 

I was called to the Sailors' Home, and led into a room 
where a dying man lay on his bed. He had called for 
me. He made signs with his hand that I should sit 



216 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOU 

down near liim. To my astonishment he began to talk 
about worldly things, and seemed to be eagerly expect- 
ing that I should tell him that he would get better, 
while death was actually fastened on his face, and the 
doctor had told him to prepare for death. He could 
not believe it. The poor, unhappy man — I pitied him 
intensely ; and I began to point out Christ to him. To 
my great astonishment he said : " Please don't speak to 
me of that. I can't bear to hear that ng^me." I held 
his hand, and looking at him, said : " My dear friend, 
how can you speak like that, with no prospect of life 
before you? Do think of making your peace with 
God." With an effort the man raised himself in the 
bed, and those ghastly eyes were fixed upon me, and in 
an angry tone he said : " Do leave the room. I tell you 
I don't want to hear of that name." I rose from my 
chair, and was just about speaking again, when, with a 
thundering voice, he exclaimed : " Leave the room ! 
leave the room ! or I will throw this chair at you ! I 
will not die ! Go, leave the room ! " — " God have 
mercy on you ! " I said, and then, with a sad heart, left 
the room. In the morning of the following day, I was 
called to the Seamen's Home again, to make arrange- 
ments for the burial of the man. He had passed away 
his life in sin, and they told me he died miserably, 
though conscious to the last. 

In the midst of these dark scenes in the work, there 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 217 

came days when the heart was made glad. I visited a 
ship in the harbor and preached on board, one Sabbath, 
and in the afternoon held an extra meeting in the fore- 
castle, with the men, for I had noticed during the morn- 
ing service that some were convicted of sin by the 
Spirit. There was a wonderful feeling manifested 
among them, and the Lord gave me one soul. Then 
the men told me how easy it was to become a better 
man on board of their ship in comparison to other ships, 
and it was touching how they spoke of the captain's 
wife. They said : " She will often talk to us about our 
souls, and give us tracts and good books, and then she 
will make us bring our clothes and she will patch them 
for us, and make us keep them in good order." How 
blessed is such a testimony from the sailors on board a 
ship, and it tells me what a blessed influence a Christian 
captain, or a Christain wife of a captain, may exercise 
on a ship. They closed their beautiful story in saying : 
'• Why, she is like a mother to us ! " God bless that 
dear woman, on board of the Formosa ! 

On board of the Beechwood we had blessed meetings 
during the week, and on the Sabbath. 

Deciding for Christ on the Gangway. 

God had converted some of the men, and just before 
the ship left her moorings to sail for England, I saw 
her off, and on the gangway the chief ofQcer gave liis 



218 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

heart to Jesus, and taking hold of my hand, said : 
" Bro. K., by the grace of God I will meet you in 
heaven ! " That was a glorious parting, and I felt the 
Lord had sent me on board to receive this mate's tes- 
timony. The ship hove up her anchors, and was taken 
outside the bay and fastened to a buoy, to await a fav- 
orable breeze, and before it came the crew had an op- 
portunity to prove in a degree their sincerity, and the 
effect of the word of God upon their hearts, in a re- 
markable way. Coming on shore I went to the office 
of a merchant who was the treasurer of the Seamen's 
Society, in order to give him $22, which some parties 
had given me for the work. Somehow I had lost that 
that money. I felt sorry, but what could I do ? When 
I discovered the loss, I said with all my heart, " Praise 
the Lord ! " and taking out of my pocket-book another 
$22, went and paid it, telling the treasurer that I had 
just lost the original bills. I left the store and ran up 
to my house to get dinner. When I told my good wife 
about the money lost, she told me that perhaps I was 
careless in not putting it with the money I carried in 
the pocket-book; but it was not that exactly, I had only 
in haste taken out my note-book, instead of the pocket 
bank note-book, and had lost it with the money. I felt 
somehow that I could pray for the finding of the money, 
and knowing also that we could not well suffer the loss 
of $22, we placed it in humble prater before the Lord. 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 219 

About two in the afternoon, I told my wife I would go 
down town the same road that I had taken in the morn- 
ing, feeling as though I w^ould find the money. She 
looked doubtful, and I said : " Now, be praying and be- 
lieving while I go and look." Following the road toward 
the harbor I looked about me every step almost, but 
nothing could be seen, and my faith was tried, and I 
said to myself : " Praise the Lord ! I will have it yet." 
Just then some one called my name. I looked up and 
saw Capt. P., of the Beechwood, running towards me in 
great haste, and pressing a closed envelope into my 
hand, said: "This is from the crew. You know I 
heard you lost 822. Mr. H. told me so when I went to 
get my papers for the ship. I w^ent on board and 
dropped the remark, and the chief officer heard it, so 
he went back to the men, and they made a list, and in 
five minutes the whole amount was subscribed. Then 
they begged me to go on shore and deposit the money 
with some one, as I did not expect to meet you." I 
had hardly time to thank the captain. He said a hasty 
good-by, and " in half an hour we'll be off," jumped into 
his boat, and away he went. God made me find the 
money. Amen ! Praise the Lord ! There are millions 
of people who should invest money in the Lord's work ; 
but what do they rather use it for ? To consume it up- 
on their own desire — lust. When will men begin to 
count the returns for their hard-earned, and so easy- 



220 • SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE 

spent, money? To lay up never-failing treasures in 
heaven is little thought of on this line ; but there will 
be a weighing in the balance some day. What do men 
give to gain money ? Reputation and honor, yea, their 
strength and life-blood. How many respectable thieves 
and robbers have we about us, and in our home circles. 
When some have taken the first step they still tremble, 
but the second step they sat down quite easy. But 
thanks be to God ! some are being rescued from this 
dreadful hell. 

Be Sure Your Sin" will Find You Out. 

A young man attended my meetings, and one night 
he followed me nearly to my house, and I did not know 
it. Just about to turn the corner of a street, where 
there stood a lamp-post, lighting the road up to my 
house on a hill, he touched me on the shoulder, and 
said, " Excuse me, Mr. Krauser, but I must speak 
with you." I had turned about and taken his hand, 
and waited for him to say on ; but the poor fellow 
would not say a word. He trembled as he looked to 
the ground, and then the tears began to flow. I let 
him take his time, feehng deeply for him as he stood 
there. " Tell me all, my dear friend ; if you had no 
confidence, you would not have followed me so far." 
He then began as follows : " I had the contract with 
a glazier to make the windows of a large building 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 221 

belonging to the government, and when the work was 

finished he came to me and said : 'Now, Mr. M , we 

might make a little extra on this work. You know I 
took this job cheaper than anyone else would, and this 
is the government, and they don't mind paying, if we 
put down on the bill a few hundred window-panes 
more. You know I don't make anything anyway, and 
if you agree I'll divide with you.' Oh, Mr. Krauser, 
you see I gave way ! He handed in his bill, and then 
we divided, and now this money is in my pocket, and 
it burns me to my bones. Oh, I can't bear it ! it 
troubles me so that in some way I must get rid of it ; 
and, besides, I feel that I'm a wretched man, and lost. 
Oh, that God might, for Christ's sake, forgive me my 
sins ! Oh, do pray for me, Mr. Krauser ! " The un- 
happy man took my hand, and imploringly looked into 
my face. I saw he was in earnest, so I knelt down 
beside the lamp-post and he followed the example. 
There was no time to be lost, and he began to 
pray for himself. Yes, and God answered our united 
prayer on the spot. As the light of that lamp-post 
shone down upon us, so did the light from Calvary 
shine into that man's heart. The first thing he said 
when he rose was, " Now, by the help of God, I shall go 
to the man who tempted me and throw the Judas 
money on the counter as soon as he opens the store in 
the morning." I met the young man next day. He 



222 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

looked so bright and clieerf ul. " Well, M., how is it now ? " 
*' Oil, praise tlie Lord ! I am saved and free ! I gave up the 
money, and the man said to me that I was a fool, and 
I answered him, yes I was a fool, to lose my soul for the 
sake of money, but thank God, I have the salvation 
of Christ in my soul. Glory be to God for deliverance ! '' 
For the sake of the soul, let no man be ensnared by 
money : it is the metal of the chain that binds them in 
heU. 



CHAPTER XII. 

m THE FIEKT FUKNACE WITH JESUS. —UNEXPECTED 
CHANGES. 

Under such manifest blessings of God, the new year 
— 1883 — drew near, and during the month of Jan- 
uary the Lord, in such a wonderful way, poured out 
His blessing upon the work, as we probably had not felt 
or seen in all the three years of the past. There was 
no " excitement," but a steady, certain giving way of 
the powers of darkness in every meeting during the 
week, and on the Sabbath. In the hospital work, and 
in the harbor, daily, souls were brought to Christ ; and 
such a mighty inquiry prevailed, that every day, from 
the early morning up to late at night (sometimes 
11 o' clock), I was engaged visiting the workshops on 
shore, and the shipping in the bay, and holding meet- 
ings in the evening, either on shore, at the mission-room, 
or on board ship among the sailors in the forecastle ; as 
also in the rum-shops in the "Maintop." At one of 
the meetings at the room, eleven members of our band 
stepped into the blessing of entire sanctification, and 
three hardened sinners were converted to God. Visit- 
ing two ships ready to leave the port, I spoke to the 
crew once more, and several received Christ before I 

223 



224 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

left the ship. One man, who had kept from giving him- 
self up entirely, for cleansing, stepped out on the prom- 
ise, '' I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is 
stayed on Me, because he trusteth in Me," — by faith, 
— perfect peace — a stayed mind. He understood me 
perfectly, and with a beaming face he said : " Glory to 
God ! He cleanseth me now ! " His trouble had been 
concerning evil thoughts ; hence this text from Isaiah 
was blessed to him. He could not distinguish between 
" evil thoughts " and " thoughts of evil," and the en- 
emy had troubled him much and long about it, until he 
almost despaired of ever getting rid of evil thoughts, 
as he expressed himself. 

A tidal wave of salvation had swept over us for three 
years, and we had not got over it yet. My heart was 
filled with praises toward God, for truly wonderful 
works were done through the name of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and all the glory belongs to God. 

Taking leave of the men on a ship, one followed me 
on deck and there spoke to me. He could not go out 
to sea without Jesus, and Jesus did not let him go with- 
out, for, up on deck, under the "mizzen," He saved the 
dear boy, and with his eyes beaming for gladness, he ran 
to his work. While speaking to the men on another 
ship in the evening, just before returning on shore to 
open the mission-room, I dropped the remark, " You can- 
not be on square accounts with God, and not know it." 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 225 

A sailor arose and exclaimed, " Praise God, I see it all 
now ! yes, glory to God ! I know this moment the ques- 
tion is settled, I am the Lord's, and Jesus saves me this 
moment." 

The Gospel for the Natives. 

On shore the Lord had converted a native, who daily 
went about the city selling Bibles and Testaments to 
his countrymen, and he was wonderfully successful in 
his sales. Everywhere, in the harbor especially, men 
were found grouping together along the landing-stages, 
and reading God's word, and early in the morning, at 
6 o'clock, twice every week, I took position there and 
distributed reading matter to the natives. Oftentimes 
I was surrounded by hundreds, and it was pleasing to 
see how eagerly they would devour the tracts with their 
eyes, and then read to those who could not. Policemen 
and custom-house officers alike were anxious to receive 
tracts, and would force their way to me, and they gen- 
erally succeeded better than any one else, as their offi- 
cial robe was respected. I should have often been 
over-run by the crowd, and then I took my stand close 
to the water's edge. Now I was safe, for they took 
good care not to push me ov-er into the water, and un- 
der God I could trust them perfectly ; but, besides, I 
knew every one loved to see me. Then the boats were 
remembered, which by this time had collected in great 



226 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

numbers. Jumping into one of them, I began to dis- 
tribute. These days were feast-days in the harbor. 

Shadows of the Valley. 

But now came upon me the greatest trial of my life. 
In the midst of such work, I must cease to work ; yea, 
more than that, leave this place, which by this time had 
become so dear to me. When I was asked once by the 
oldest missionary on the coast — Dr. Trumbull — how 
long I expected to remain in the country, my answer 
was, "A life-time." The good Dr. liked that; he 
thought this to be the only way to do lasting good, and 
I agreed with him in this. And yet I must go. My 
poor wife had been failing in health for nearly two 
years. It had become an object of daily prayer ; but 
she got worse and worse. To relieve her in her house- 
work, the Lord sent us sufficient means to hire two ser- 
vants, — one for the housework and the other for our 
children, — the Lord having blessed us with two dear 
little boys. But all this seemed to be of no effect. 
Three trips to the South did not prove to be of much 
benefit. On the contrary, every time she returned to 
Valparaiso her health was declining. However, the 
thought that we would ever be compelled to leave the 
work on this account, for a change of climate, never 
entered our mind, until at last one of the best physi- 
■jians, who attended my v/ife, insisted on our going to 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 227 

Europe. Heart disease, and the symptoms of consump- 
tion, liad made their appearance in an appalling man- 
ner. Oh, how I was tried I I had been so taken up with 
the work that the fact became a trial to me, supposing 
that I had not heeded the entreaties of my dear wife 
long before, although I knew she had suffered so much 
for some time. In this hour of my greatest trial, oh, 
how I felt the sustaining power of my blessed Jesus ! 
While writing down these lines, tears fill my eyes, — 
tears of thankfulness and gratitude towards the Mighty 
to save. The enemy of my soul tried hard to shake my 
faith, and most severely thrust those things at me, 
which, under such circumstances, in relation to family 
affairs, are used by him. Days of fasting and prayer 
followed. Brethren and sisters were consulted, and 
from some came opposition to my leaving ; others, again, 
said I must go. IMy physical strength threatened to 
give way, being crowded on every hand ; but deliver- 
ance did come, and I expected it, praise the Lord ! 

A Steuggle roE Light. 

Bro. CoUyer, from Iquique, who supplied the pulpit 
of the Union church for a time, came to me late one 
evening. My wife had retired with the children, and I 
lay on the floor in the parlor, j^aying. When I admit- 
ed him, he fell on my neck, and we kissed each other. 
We remained in each other's embrace for some minutes ; 



228 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAIVI TAYLOR 

neither one of us could speak a word. He then led me 
to the sofa, and now came the deliverance. Bro. Coll- 
yer talked to me, and we prayed together. He stayed 
with me until after twelve o 'clock. I think it was past 
one when he left. But what transpired during these 
hours, I cannot describe. I want to be spared to relate 
the bitter, — be spared to relate the sweet, that put out 
the bitter. It is so glorious, the remembrance of that 
hour ! The tremendous weight that had almost crushed 
me, had rolled away. Bro. Collyer was sick — the same 
trouble as my darling wife, except the heart disease ; 
and he thought that sometime he should leave. Yes, 
only too soon he left! The result of that night's meet- 
ing, was our decision to go on a trip to Europe, and 
thence return to the United States. 

On Feb. 6, I installed the officers of my Good Tem- 
plars' Lodge for the last quarter. The work among 
them is a blessing to the community. Clergymen of 
other denominations had taken interest in the temper- 
ance work, and helped much to spread the cause. 

My Geet^iak Methodist Church. 

I had organized my German Methodist Church with 
twenty-four members. The temperance work and the 
direct religious work had been done in halls not belong- 
mg to us. Ground and buildings being very high, we 
could not gain property, and had not been able to so 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 229 

keep the people together, as to justify an organiza- 
tion among the English-speaking people of the com- 
munity ; in fact, under the circumstances, I encouraged 
them to join other churches, for they must needs have 
a home. 

The unpleasant task of packing trunks began now, 
and the selling of furniture. I found that we had, dur- 
ing the three years, accumulated property to the amount 
of $600 in Chili paper ; however, this left us just with 
our personal effects. I received $100 as a j^resent from 
a clergyman, and this enabled us to buy a second-class 
ticket to Liverpool. We had only seven pounds ster- 
ling left, but we were willing to trust God for the future, 
as we had done in the past. A long sea-voyage would 
be necessary for my wife, and I used this opportunity 
to visit Germany after an absence from the " Father- 
land " of thirteen years, and, if it pleased God, to preach 
there. 

We had the great joy of entertaining Dr. Taylor at 
our house. He had come to South America a short 
time ago, and when he found the necessity of my leav- 
ing Valparaiso, he came down to arrange to put in 
another man in the work ; but now it was found that 
the merchants and others who had given money towards 
the support of the mission, had agreed with the Union 
Church committee not to receive any of Taylor's men, 
but make the work one of their own, as they considered 



230 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

now tliat it virtually liad belonged to tliem all the 
while ; because, being largely members of that church, 
they had been giving to the Seamen's Mission of their 
money. Now a change being necessary, they thought 
the time had come to take it into their own hands; 
which they voted upon, and gave Mr. Taylor to under- 
stand it ; however, not directly. He was permitted to 
find it out for himself. To God belongs the glory of 
the past, and the glory of the future work, whoever 
is to carry it on. 

This was another trial before I left. The work was 
left without a man to do the work. I had held, during 
the three years in Valparaiso, from Jan. 2, 1880, up to 
Feb. 19, 1883, 1,415 meeting?. My last meeting in the 
harbor, Feb. 18, was on board the Areqmpa, in the fore- 
nooD, and in the afternoon preaching to my German 
congregation from Paul's charge to the elders at Ephe- 
sus : " I commend you to God and the word of His 
grace, which is able to build you up and give yon an 
inheritance among them that are sanctified hj faith that 
is in me." All were in tears, and praised God. Thus 
closed my work in Valparaiso. But I asked the ques- 
tion, " Will God ever bring me back ? " . 

A Tkep to the Old Fatheeland. 

Feb. 20. — Everything was now ready, and taking 
leave of many friends, we embarked for England that 



TK SOUTH AMERICA. 231 

day. The steamer was about to sail, and the anchor 
was being heaved up, when in haste Dr. T. came on 
board, and handing me a check for forty-three pounds 
sterling, said that a friend on shore had given this for 
me, and I could get it cashed in England. Thus trust- 
ing God alone, we were supplied in time of need, just 
before sailing. Only fifteen minutes later and it would 
have been too late, for when the good Dr. descended 
the ladder, and touched the boat, the prox3eller made 
the first turn forward. 

One Taken, the Other Left. 

Bro. Collyer was to leave by sailing vessel soon after 
for California, his health failing rapidly. He looked 
much better than my wife, and the two, shaking hands, 
did not think, nor did any one else, that soon one was 
to be taken, and the other left. Bro. CoXyer and wife 
embarked a few weeks after our departure, but on the 
way, out at sea, Jesus came and took him unto Himself, 
to be with Him for ever. When he prayed with me for 
the last time, till late in the night, for the life of my 
wife, and so wonderfully comforted me, I thought I had 
never seen Bro. C. so strangely filled with God. It was 
an hour in heaven as we talked together, and the will 
of God was made plain to me. One by one they are 
passing over. How long, O Lord ! I wait for Thy ap- 
pearing. 



232 SIX YEAES WITH Wn.LIAM TAYLOR 

I now skip over my daily notes in the journal, as they 
would be of no interest to any one, being of almost 
continual sea-sickness, which besides kept me from keep- 
ing it perfectly. However, when in some port, I felt 
all right ; or when passing the Straits of Magellan. I 
had hoped there to see some of the natives — Patago- 
nians or Fuegians — but the weather being so rough, 
none dared to leave the dismal shore in their frail crafts. 
Little could be seen of the rocks or forests, being over- 
hung with black clouds all the way to Sandy Point — 
the last Chilian port in the Straits. 

The Methodists rsr Uruguay and the Augen- 
TiNE Republic. 

From there we had a pleasant trip to Montevideo, 
Uruguay, on the East Coast. Going on shore, I visited 
the Methodist Missions. Rev. Mr. Wood had just left 
for the States on some business, but I met Mrs. W. and 
her children. She seemed an excellent lady, and full 
of work. I spent a pleasant hour with Rev. Mr. 
Talon, an ordained native minister, who told me much 
concerning the work in the city. I visited the church 
— an old theatre which had been bought and fitted up 
for an M. E. Church. It will seat from 500 to 550 peo- 
ple. The president of the Republic, a Roman Catholic, 
had contributed towards fitting up the chapel. At a 
recent meeting held there, 110 natives stood up, testify- 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 233 

ing for Christ ; five of that number were students of 
the Buenos Ajres University (Argentine Republic), 
who, after they graduate, intend to enter the ministry 
of the M. E. Church. There I found, also, an exten- 
sive temperance work in progress, — a lodge of Good 
Templars, numbering about 150 members. Mrs. Wood 
had also a juvenile temperance lodge, numbering sixty 
boys and girls. A temperance boarding-house had been 
opened in connection with the lodge, which also paid 
twenty dollars per month towards the rent of the build- 
ing. Three day-schools existed in connection with the 
Mission, and 600 children were taught in them. Five 
hundred of the number attend the Sabbath-school. 
Much pleased with my visit, I returned on board and 
then read Bishop Simpson's sermon, which he preached 
on the occasion of the Ecumenical Conference, held in 
London. It was a great blessing to me. 

The ship left in the evening for Rio Janeiro. We 
had fine weather for a day, but then this terrible sea- 
sickness would come again, and I was unable to attend 
the service Sunday morning. The doctor on board told 
me it was very " nice," and remarked, " people are get- 
ting more educated now, and the clergy are at last 
compelled to write and read their sermons to keep them 
from rambling." 



234 six yeaes with william taylor 

Rio Janeiko. 

At 10 A. M., on Monday, we arrived in the harbor of 
Rio Janeiro — the most beautiful harbor in the world. 
Our little family could not resist the magnetic drawing 
toward the shore, and our little three-year old son 
clapped his little hands in delight when I told him, in 
English, that he should go with papa and mamma and 
little Herman Harris on shore ; and running to his 
mother, he told her in German what I had said, and 
broke the glad news to his two-year old brother in 
Spanish. We visited Rev. Bro. Ransom, of the M. E. 
Mission South. They did good work in Rio, but not 
to the same extent as the brethren further south. The 
Methodists have a mission in the city, and another in 
the interior, and have in all about 120 members. The 
work is very hard here, and resembles much that in 
Chili. However, they have a good school. There 
is also a Seamen's Mission here. Our chief officer was 
taken sick suddenly while in the harbor, and had to be 
left in the hospital on shore, and the ship went on her 
journey without liim. He died soon after ; and before we 
reached our next and last port on the east coast of 
South America — Bahia. On the eighteenth of March 
we crossed the equator, and met five ships which worked 
to and fro on the little waves, apparently not moving a 
foot ahead. There was a dead calm. 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 235 

Marcli 23, we entered tlie harbor of St. Vincent, 
Cape de Yerde Islands. Some six steamers were laying 
here, — French, English, German, and Italian, taking in 
coal. 

Thursday, 27th, at 10 A. M., we sighted Teneriffe, 
one of the Canary Islands. 

Saturday, March 31, dropped our anchor in the Bay 
of Lisbon, or rather in the river. Took in coal and 
started for Bordeaux. Across the Bay of Biscay we 
had the finest weather. I had formed the acquaintance 
of a young Roman priest, and I found him to be a most 
amiable companion in travel. He had left Lisbon 
because he had suffered some persecution on account of 
his liberal views in some matters of religion. He was 
certainly converted to God. He did not know that I 
was a Protestant missionary, and he spoke the more 
freely to me, and I enjoyed it very much to find him 
resting alone in Jesus. However, he leaned a little on 
the doctrine of works. Although he seemed to be free 
from anything like works without faith, he tried a little 
to hold up his church. The dear man, if he could only 
cut loose from everything but Jesus, he might be a 
useful man to lead sinners to repentance. He read with 
much interest the Guide to Holiness^ and "Line and 
Plummet," and " Lessons in Holiness." In Bordeaux, 
my friend, the priest, went on shore. 



236 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE 

Thirteen Years Ago an Infidel. — Days of 
Power in England. 

April 7 we arrived safely in Liverpool, and with what 
feelings I As I stepped on shore with my dear wife 
and the cliildren, I drew her close to my ;jide, and when 
I was able to speak, I said to her : " Thirteen j^ears ago 
I arrived in this city, on my way to the United States ; 
but iinder what different circumstances ! An infidel, 
fighting against everything that was good, without God 
and without hope. I had never touched a Bible." My 
wife understood me, and silently we stepped into a 
coach and drove to the hotel. 

The following day I presented my letters of introduce 
tion to an English gentleman who has a business house 
in Valparaiso, and who did much to help us in establish- 
ing our Sailors' Home there. I was at once invited to 
another hotel by Mr. B., and after taking my family 
over, that gentleman called on me and informed me 
that Mr. Moody was in the city preaching. I was 
introduced to that great evangelist, whom I had longed 
to see and to hear. I was asked to take part in the 
work of the inquiry room, and I had occasion to see the 
work of the Lord for a fortnight. I was then invited 
by the Church of England Mission to Seamen to work 
for a time in Liverpool among the seafaring men. I 
accepted that call, and labored for twelve days, and 



IK SOUTH AMEEICA. 237 

God seemed to continue here tlie work just left off in 
Valparaiso. I was interviewed by the man^agers of the 
Mersey Mission, and an offer was made me to enter the 
work in connection with that Mission and remain in 
Liverpool ; but I would not accept it. My wife had 
had bleeding of the lungs, and on consulting the 
physicians they declared that the climate here would 
be injurious to her, and we had better leave for Germany 
at once. Many precious souls were converted during 
the four weeks of our stay in Liverpool. Praise God 
for His blessings ! 

I was invited to preach in a Baptist Church — to 
preach on holiness. After preaching, I invited those 
in the audience who wanted a clean heart " now," and 
wliile the congregation was singing a hymn, to come 
into the Sunday-School room, and I told them I would 
remain there on my knees praying for such until the 
room was full. I gave out the hymn, and then stepped 
down from the pulpit, and entered the small room back 
of the main hall. Then I knelt in prayer, and as the 
last notes of the hymn had passed away, the door 
opened and twenty-two persons, men and women, 
entered the room, and knelt all about me. Nov/ the 
praying began, — one after another prayed for them- 
selves. Then were confessions made, pardon asked, 
and pra3^ers for clean hearts rose to God. It was 
remarkable how clear the prayers were. They evidently 



238 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

knew what they wanted. The meeting was entirely 
beyond human control, — the Spirit of God led the 
meeting. There was a sure basis to every prayer, and 
definitions were clear, and while they were praying and 
weeping, there was no confusion. All were blessed, 
and some wliile on their knees gave this testimony to 
the saving power of Jesus. A good number had been 
reclaimed from backsliding, others had been converted, 
and about seven testified clearly to heart purity. It 
was a meeting of power in this Baptist Church. I trust 
the blessed work will go on after I leave. The pastor 
is a live man, but a great " dipper." He came to my 
room before I left the city, and said : "If I accept this 
salvation, I am afraid my faith as a Baptist might be 
shaken." My answer was simple : " Dear sir, if God 
has given you light as to your own soul's salvation in 
connection with this requirement of ' holiness unto the 
Lord,' be sure to walk up to and in that light, and 
whatever God will tell you to do thereafter, you will 
know. He will never leave you nor forsake you. I 
have no commandment beyond that for you." He left 
me somewhat sorrowful. 

Once more I preached at the Seamen's Bethel, in the 
afternoon, and seven men were happily converted to 
God. There were present at that meeting about fifty 
seamen. When about to leave the hall, a man much 
addicted to drink, came to me and wanted to sign the 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 239 

pledge. I pointed out to him the necessity of giving 
himself to Jesus. He promised to pray. Just then a 
sailor who had only just arrived from Bombay, came 
and desired to be prayed for "right now." When souls 
come like that, they shall surely find a ready Saviour . 
and he also was converted to God before leaving the 
room, and I was ready to remain all night, if necessary. 

In another place where I had collected some men 
and women, God so wonderfully blessed the word that 
two women gave their hearts to Christ ; another, who 
had said before the meeting began, " She did not want 
Christ," was melted to tears by what she saw ; and 
being convicted, bewailed her own sins and was con- 
verted. 

The day before leaving Liverpool for Hamburg was 
made a great blessing to me. I was invited to a sick 
clergyman of the Church of England, who lay at the 
" Bethshan," a faith-healing hospital. This man, I 
was told, had been afSicted with spinal disease for 
thirty-two years, and had not been able to preach, 
nearly always suffering acute pain, and unable to rise 
from his couch. I had never anything to do with faith- 
healing before this date ; but when I was confronted by 
this poor suffering brother, and after consultation with 
him, he desired me that I would proceed according to 
the word in James — to anoint him with oil in the 
name of the Lord — and then added that he believed 



240 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

the Lord would heal liim, I called in the members of 
the household, and we prayed. Then I anointed the 
brother in the name of the Lord, while the people were 
praying. The sufferer then tried to stir, but was wholly 
unable. He told me that he had more pains to-day 
than ever before, and he asked us to leave him, for he 
desired to be alone with God for a few hours. We 
retired. As I separated from the brethren and sisters, 
I exhorted them to pray. There was a meeting to be 
held in the evening, and they invited me to attend. I 
promised them to be present. I returned, but was a 
little too late ; but what should I behold I The sick man 
was well, and had just opened the meeting by prayer, 
and was standing on his feet. " Praise God I " I cried, 
and caught his hand. " Yes, thanks be to God," said 
the brother, " God has done wonderful things for me." 
He then told liis experience in the meeting. After we 
had left his room in the afternoon, he prayed to God, 
and said : " Yes, Lord, Thou dost heal me now ! " and 
he sat up on the couch without any difficulty. Then 
he put one foot on the floor, and then the other, and 
felt no pain, " Then," said he, " I suddenly arose and 
stood on my feet, and clapping my hands, I praised 
God, and walked across the floor quite without pain — 
only felt a general weakness. The spinal disease, 
however, which has prostrated me tliese thirty-two 
years, has entirely disappeared." Tliis was the Lord's 



IK SOUTH AMEBIC A.. 241 

doing, and it was wonderful in our eyes. (In 1884, since 
my return to Chili the second time, I received a letter 
in which this brother says : " Bear Bro. K.^ — Thanks be 
to God, I am now back in active work, and able to 
preach twice on Sunday. God has completely healed 
me, and my body is getting stronger every day. My 
heart is full of gratitude. I shall print a tract concern- 
ing my deliverance, and spread it over the land. Yours 
in Jesus, B.") 

May 2 we started for London, and remained two 
days there. On the street I met with so many seamen 
who had been converted in Valparaiso, it seemed as 
though they had congregated there. I was taken to 
some of the Mission Rooms established by Miss Weston, 
and there found myself surrounded by faces that I had 
been accustomed to see in South America, and I was 
so highly privileged to see what the Lord had wrought 
in the hearts of those men, who had come to Valparaiso 
in ships, and there, and on the way home, had been 
converted to God. I felt quite at home there, and 
preached several times, and some were converted in 
each meeting. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ACROSS THE CHANNEL.— HOMEWAED BOUND.— THE 
REYIYAL IN GERMANY. 

Sunday, the 6tli of May, we were crossing the Chan- 
nel on board the little steamer llartin, and here I wish 
to call the attention of the reader to my journal. I 
wish to copy the few lines following, from my journal, 
as I wrote them down on the morning of that memor- 
able day. I hope it may help some one._ May the dear 
Lord sustain me while, with a bleeding heart, I write 
down what now befell us, and God permitted to come 
upon us. 

Heayiest Trials and Brightest Sunshine. 

^'Pentecost Day. — I pray for a special outpouring of 
God's Spirit upon my soul in view of the work before 
me. But in what wondrous way God will deal with 
me, I do not know now." These are the words as I 
copy them. This was done in the morning. Our dear 
children were enjoying themselves, running about and 
playing in the cabin. Mamma and papa were sea-sick 
most of the time, but it did not affect the children a 
moment. It was 6.15 p. m., when I noticed our young- 
est child, Herman Harris, two years old, looked tired, 

242 

• « 



IN SOUTH AMEKICA. 243 

and was hanging his little head. He had just played 
with a gentleman, throwing slips of paper over a book 
he was reading, as he reclined on the sofa in the cabin. 
I thought the child was sleepy ; so I went up to where 
the little fellow stood, and went to take him by the 
hand to lead liim to his bed, when he began to vomit ; 
at the same time our oldest boy came running to me, 
also vomiting. I supposed them to be seasick, and lead- 
ing them back to the cabin where their mother lay, I 
said to her in a laughing way : " Here, mamma, our 
boys are sea-sick ! What do you think ? " Just then 
Herman dropped his head on his shoulder, and my wife, 
almost screaming, exclaimed : " Oh, just see how he 
turns his eyes ! Give him to me, quick ! " I lifted the 
boy up into the bed, and my wife received him into her 
arms. I called the captain and the stewardess at once. 
The captain just looked at the sick boy, and said : " He 
has the diphtheria — the worst kind!" Thick yellow 
slime then came out of nose and mouth. A warm bath 
with mustard was quickly prepared, but before he was 
put into the water, his eyes became glassy, his head and 
limbs hung lifeless. Yes, it was only too true — his 
si)irit had fled. I held in my arms the lifeless body of 
our darling boy. Oh, how bitter ! His merry laugh, 
we should hear it no more forever ! 

I copy from my journal again, the words that I wrote 
after the death of our darling; — " God knows best, yes, 



244 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAIVI TAYLOR 

mj soul says, God knows best — Father knows best — 
He doetli all things well. O Lord, my Father, I kiss 
thy hand to-night, for Thou can'st do but that which is 
good ! Oh, the comfort of Thy living presence ! Teach 
me the lesson of this solemn hour, my God and my Fa- 
ther! Oh, the power of Jesus! Oh, His wondrous 
love ! My soul is saturated with His love, and peace 
fills my heart— a peace that floweth like a river, — yes, 
saturated with Thy love, O God ! Praises belong to 
Thee ! " 

Early in the morning of the following day — Monday, 
the fifth, — we arrived in Hamburg. Our boy had 
been lying in a state-room ; from time to time during 
the night I would go and kneel beside the corpse and 
kiss the sweet face and call his name. At times it 
seemed to me as though I saw his breast heave ; but it 
was not true, he had gone to heaven. I cannot under- 
stand to this day how he was taken from us ; but I 
know and say this : God took him. His little body was 
laid in a coffin and was bedded in flowers, then he was 
taken on shore. My wife had become like a shadow in 
appearance, pale and care-worn. I durst not ask her 
anything, but she gave me to understand that the heavy 
hand resting on her was the hand of Omnipotence. 
Our Eugene, now our only boy, had also taken sick, and 
the captain had told us to send for a good physician at 
once. So we went to a hotel and a good medical man 



IK SOUTH AMEBICA. 245 

was secured, wlio stated that the throat of the boy was 
very bad ; but he might recover. What did God desire 
to do with us ? 

Tuesday morning. — Our Eugene is getting worse, and 
the Dr. thinks an operation is necessary. In the after- 
noon the body of our youngest child was committed to 
the earth. At 12 p. M., Eugene was taken to the hos- 
pital of one of the best physicians of Hamburg, who 
would perform the operation. It was successful, and 
the following day we were permitted to see our child. 
Oh, what prayer arose to God! Only One can under- 
stand, in this hour of bitter trial, the language of our 
hearts, and to Him we go and wait, sitting at His feet 
and looking into His blessed face, watching any sign as 
to what He will decide. Sweetest comfort and sweet- 
est assurance, shined from the face of the Son of God, 
into our poor smitten hearts, and we said : " As Thou 
wilt. Lord." More we were not able to say ; but we 
wept, yes, bitterly we wept. As my poor wife held the 
child she loved so much, in her arms, we did scarcely 
recognize him. Then the Dr. came and told us we 
must go. One last kiss, one last look upon our last 
hope, and we left. We had just arrived at the hotel, 
when a messenger arrived about the same time, who 
brought the news that this, our sweet boy, had also de- 
parted out of the world, soon after we left his bedside. 



246 SIX YEARS WITH WIIiLIAM TAYLOR 

My Children Both Gone to be with Jesus. 

I now draw a curtain. We want to be alone and 
shut out the world from this scene of our grief, — alone 
with God, — to be still, and drink, and drink, and drink, 
to cool our parching tongues, and satisfy the longing of 
our souls, at the fountain. " They shall never come 
back to us ; but we shall go to them." Yet, whom 
have I in heaven but Thee ? As the sad news came to 
us, I pressed her, who alone was left to me on earth, to 
my aching heart. Our eyes met, and once more these 
words burst from our lips: "They shall never come 
back to us, but we shall go to them." " The Lord has 
given ; the Lord has taken away ; blessed be the name 
of the Lord." 

Friday, May 11, our Eugene was buried — sleep- 
ing in flowers, which he loved so much when in 
life. He had been a sweet boy. How often did he 
throw aside his playthings, and running in, he would 
take his mamma's hand, and leading her into the parlor, 
he would say : " Now, mamma, come pray with me," 
and he prayed for such as he had met through the day, 
and then closed with, " God bless papa ! God bless 
mamma ! Amen ! " He has gone to be a jewel in the 
crown of our Redeemer. My wife had asked him be- 
fore the operation took place: "Will you go away?" 
" Yes, mamma, I shall go." Then, awaking, he said (in 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 247 

German) : " Hallelujah ! God, my Father ! " We had 
never used Just these words in his presence, so far as we 
can remember, and they startled us when we heard 
them from his lips. The death of our darling, — was 
it necessary ? I think not ; but the Lord certainly per- 
mitted it. May all redound to His glory ! 

The following Sunday night I passed through a won- 
derful experience. Oftentimes during the night I 
awoke out of sleep, and found myself clapping my 
hands and praising God aloud. My wife was wonder- 
fully sustained. We were swallowed up of life. 

May 12, we left Hamburg, and arrived soon at the 
home of my aged father ; but as he looked about him 
to see the grand-children, we had to tell him : " They 
have gone to heaven. You cannot see them now." 

At the Grave of my Satn^ted Mother. 

May 19, we visited the grave of my dear mother. 
Oh, how I should have loved to meet her on earth! 
When eleven years ago Jesus saved my soul, I sat down 
and wrote : — " Dear 3Iother, — Your boy has found 
Jesus." When she died, she said: "If only my boy 
could be here I" As I stood at the grave, once more 
the past rose up before me, and I wept there. I saw a 
single forget-me-not on the grave, and I plucked it. 
Then I turned away, but I felt in my soul, and con- 
fessed with my mouth : " We shall meet beyond the 
river by and by. We have anchors over there." 



248 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

I visited then the old church where I had been con- 
firmed — not knowing Jesus the Saviour; but now, 
what a contrast ! then a sinner lost through sin ; now a 
sinner saved through grace — made a minister and a 
witness for Jesus. As I stood on the spot where I had 
bowed my head seventeen years ago to receive the bless- 
ing pronounced upon me by the officiating minister, it 
brought up to my view the moment when Bishop Harris 
laid his hands upon me, and ordained me an elder in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Church I had 
found my Saviour and Redeemer. These remem- 
brances of the past were a balm to my soul, and my 
dear wife understood me so well, and with tearful eyes, 
but thankful heart, she praised the good Redeemer's 
love. God is good. 

I received an invitation now to come to Berlin, from 
Count B. and Count P., to open evangelistic services 
and preach to the masses of the unconverted, and for 
that purpose rent halls, theatres, and such places, easy 
of access to the people. I accepted the invitation, and 
we started for Berlin on the second of June. 

Preaching in Berlin. 

The first meeting was attended by 350 persons, in a 
hall which was formerly used for dancing ; but had been 
bought by Christian workers for Christian work. The 
plan of the inquiry-room was here adopted, but few 



IN SOUTH AMEETCA. 249 

persons could be induced to come; however, my private 
dwelling was crowded. Seekers of pardon and purity 
came to my room day by day, and the work of salva- 
tion began at once. Several were converted after the 
first meeting, and the outlook was favorable. A woman 
came to my house, who had been trying hard to get 
peace by attending all the means of grace regularly; 
but had never succeeded. But now she sought forgive- 
ness of sin, and abhorred it. Meetings were now ar- 
ranged for, and two meetings appointed each day at 
3 p. M., and 8 A. M., and in different parts of the city. 
Suitable halls were rented to accommodate from 300 to 
800 persons. The halls were always filled with anxious 

hearers. 

The Powek of Loye. 

A lady came to me in great distress, and having heard 
a sermon on holy living, desired to be made clean. She 
was determined not to leave the room without the clean 
heart. She said she had a wayward daughter, who 
would seek unfit company, and go out dancing. She 
had tried everything, and also scolded her often, and 
nothing would help. I had no doubt about it; but 
when the mother left the house, praising the Lord for a 
clean heart, she said : " Pray for my daughter." A few 
days after the interview, the same woman stood up in a 
meeting and told what God had done for her and her 
daughter : " I thank God He has given me a clean 



250 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

heart, and has taken away this bad temper which I used 
to have. I often wondered why I could do nothing for 
my daughter ; but to-day I know. Yesterday she did 
not come home till late, but I sat up and waited for her. 
I felt I loved my daughter as I never had before. I 
had kept her supper warm — a thing I never thought 
of before, and I prayed until she came. Opening the 
door for her, I invited her to sit down, and I spread the 
table, and placed before her something to eat. I sat 
opposite to her. My daughter could not eat ; she put 
down her knife and fork, and hiding her face in her 
hands, wept bitterly. I then got up, and putting my 
arm around her, kissed her. She then looked at me, 
and said : ' Mother, what is the matter with you ? I 
cannot bear this.' ' My dear girl, God has filled my 
heart with love ' ; and we got on our knees together, 
and she gave her heart to God. She could stand all 
my scolding and talking for years, but she could not 
stand against love. Oh praise God for a baptism of 
love ! " 

Sunday, July 29, the Lord so powerfully blessed the 
preaching of the word, that the people could not leave 
the room, but where they sat they knelt and prayed, so 
that I was compelled to have an after-meeting, notwith- 
standing the opposition on the part of my friends, who 
called me to the work. We could not, possibly, throw 
the seekers out of the hall. The Germans here are 



IN SOUTB. AMEEICA. 251 

much afraid of anything that looks ]\Iethoclistic, or is 
indicative of excitement ; and the work is somewhat 
hard under the circumstances. But the Lord is leading, 
as in this case to-night. A prostitute was converted to 
God, and afterward entered an institution to become a 
worker for God. A man and wife sought pardon and 
were blessed, and one sister found the clean heart. The 
word of God spread in a remarkable manner. Souls 
were saved every day, and at every meeting that was 
held. The Sankey hymns, translated into German, had 
a wonderful effect on the people, and they fell in love 
with them. In each meeting I taught them some new 
hymns, and they learned surprisingly fast. It put new 
fire into our service, and hardened sinners were con- 
victed for sin and came confessing their sins. With 
most of those who were converted, I had an opportuni- 
ty to converse, as they came to my house and room, and 
there prayed with me. 

A Remakkable Feature. — Confession of Sins. 

Something in this work was comparatively new to 
me ; it was that those who came to me felt that they 
must confess their sins, no matter what they were, and in 
each case I saw them entering the blessing of pardon or 
heart purity. I had those who kept back their sins for 
hours, and were not relieved until they confessed. It 
was terrible how Satan had precipitated souls into sin 



252 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

and vice in tliis great city. Crimes of all sorts were 
shamelessly committed by males and females, but the 
power of God was so revealed to tlieir souls, that, bro- 
ken ujj and in tears, they would often come from the 
streets, and confessing their sins, obtain pardon from 
God. In this way, liars, thieves, burglars and pick- 
pockets, and prostitutes, came and found peace, and I 
could easily see which conversions were genuine, and 
which were not. The struggle seemed fearful in some 
cases, so that it was very trying work to me, because of 
the feeling of sympathy that would go out from me for 
them. ; but the Lord gave me strength for that kind of 
work, and blessed me much in preaching — plain preach- 
ing. I seemed to have to do with the offscouring of 
society, and they came to Jesus. 

A lady came convicted for sin. She said: "I am 
so fond of dancing and the theatre, and the concert- 
garden ; and last night God brought me to see my sins. 
The devil told me I could never give up the world, 
and that the Christian life is a hard life ; but I come to 
confess^ my sins and receive forgiveness for Jesus' 
sake. I believe Christ will save me and keep me." 

I had now established private-house meetings in 
many families. Those who were converted led the 
meetings, and such as had been convicted, not only 
came to my house, but attended these meetings, which 
were held every afternoon, in different parts of the 



EST SOUTH AMEEICA. 253 

city, — these, answering in a measure for the inquiry- 
room, and were the means of doing incalculable good ; 
many being conyerted to God, and believers built up, 
and there these souls were taught to confess their Sav- 
iour and pray in public. These meetings became so 
popular that, in order that this blessed work might be 
extended, separate organizations took place. These 
were young ladies' meetings, women's meetings, and 
meetings for men, and in these meetings we had con- 
versions daily. 

A Daughter Beixgs Hoi^ie Her Waot)eeing 
Parents. 

One young lady who had given herself over to the 
world was brought to Christ, and her mother tells me 
the following : " My daughter came home after one of 
the meetings, and I saw her manner had altered. When 
supper was served she sat down at the table and wept. 
I then spoke to her, thinking she was ill. She kissed 
me and her father, and begged us to permit her to ask 
the blessing at the table, and after supper she took up 
our old Bible, which had not been used for years, and 
we had family worship. She read and prayed. Oh, 
how I bless God that my daughter has found the Sav- 
iour ! it has been the means of bringing us to Christ." 
Thus may a daughter confess Jesus in the family, and 
God will honor it, as in this case. When Peter was 



254 SIX YEAES WITH WILLTA3I TAYLOR 

ashamed of Jesus, he fell ; when he confessed the Sav- 
iour, he was blessed. " Blessed art thou ! " thus Christ 
pronounced the blessmg upon the apostle, and upon 
this confession He will build His church. 

While in Berlin, the people among themselves collect- 
ed the money to pay the rents of our halls, which were 
hired for preaching ; and never was I in debt, although 
the rents were often high. The self-supporting plan 
worked here, as well as in Chili, and I believe it does 
the same in all the world. I had never to ask for any 
help — it came in according to our needs. The redeem- 
ed of the Lord collected money in the private meetings, 
and putting it in an envelope, sent it to me, or hid it in 
my Bible, or in some way made me the recipient with- 
out my knowing whence it came. One day I found $15 
between the leaves of my Bible. Some one, x^rompted 
by the Spirit, had placed it there. Others made it a 
rule to send a certain sum every month ; but in such 
cases I would know only the person that gave me the 
collection, in case it was handed to me in person. Our 
expenses were high while we lived in Berlin, for we 
were compelled to board; but after paying our bill 
every month, there was always some " oil " left in the 
cruise. We never, at any time, ran dry. 

A mother came to pray with me for her lost daughter. 
She had been away for two years. I wrote a note in 
my journal, and the date on which prayer was made. 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 255 

Tliree days after, the mother came with a letter in hand, 
and while the tears of joy flowed freely, she read it to 
me. The lost daughter had written and asked : " Dear 
mother, will you forgive your daughter that has grieved 
you so much, since God has been merciful to me, and 
has forgiven me ? and may I come home ? " I asked 
this woman: "And what will you tell her?" "Oh, 
that I forgive her, of course, and to come home at 
once ! " Is not this the Father's way, if a poor sinner 
comes ? Of course He will forgive, and is waiting for 
the weary one to come home. Is not the parable of the 
prodigal verified in thousands of households all over 
the world, and is God not true ? Another lady had ta- 
ken a sister, who was entirely given to the world, to the 
meetings. She was happily converted while listening 
to the preaching, while she who had brought her there, 
was not converted. She thought herself already " good," 
and when she saw the joy of her sister, there was a 
strange feeling of jealousy manifested, and the poor 
girl seemed quite hardened after that. But God kept 
the saved one. Every day, now, I received one or more 
letters from such as had accepted the Saviour at their 
homes ; and these letters were above a hundred, ring- 
ing with the sweetest testimonies. However, some 
there were who felt to confess the Lord by letter, and 
were afraid to confess because of " friends " (?) 



256 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

Ashamed of Christ. 

In the meetings I spoke to such, or r.ther, about 
such, not mentioning names, of course ; telling them 
God would not honor such a confession, and that they 
had better throw off the bushel, or else they might soon 
go back to the world. Ashamed of Christ ! There 
are many who would like to '' permit " Christ to save 
them from their dirty sins, but they will have hard 
times. They would very much like to be His servants, 
but not wear the livery. Ashamed of the livery of 
heaven ! yet they will go on wearing a mask, and every- 
body knows. Thousands are outside, weeping like Pe- 
ter, and thousands have dried their tears, and are not 
returned, — they find out that to retain salvation, means 
to " confess Christ." 

A sister came to see me. She was full of joy, and 
said: "I thought you should be partaker of my joy, 
and so I tell you that God, for Christ's sake, has forgiv- 
en me all my sins." What a sweet sound confession is. 
"We were both blessed, and while talking, a young man 
came in and stood weeping. He was hungering and 
thirsting for Christ. '^ All this week," he said, " I have 
been in this condition, and the enemy has kept me from 
coming to speak with you ; but I thank God that I am 
here. Will you pray with me ? " We then prayed, and 
the poor lost one prayed, and found his Christ before 
leaving the room. 



IN SOTJTH AMERICA. 257 

An infidel came to the night meeting, and afterwards 
came to ask for a Bible " for his wife " (?) With a 
prayer to God to bless the reading of the word to his 
own soul, a copy was given to him. Three souls were 
converted in the meeting. A woman who once had 
loved the Lord, came back to God after long years of 
bitter life. She said : " I married an ungodly man, but 
at the time, I thought he might be converted ; but I was 
bitterly disappointed, and gradually I have fallen back 
myself. Soon I was no better than he. Thank God ! I 
am saved now." A young lady has no business to let 
herself go so far as to love an ungodly man, enough to 
marry him. God's girls need to move up closer to 
Jesus when they find it out, and pray for deliverance — 
either in the conversion of the man, or the sanctification 
of their own hearts; for surely there is something 
wrong, because God does not agree with us. 2 Cor. vi. 
14, and 1 Cor. xi. 30. Then these poor, deceived souls, 
think they "backslide," while really, they have not 
" slid forward " in time of their greatest need. Some 
have waited till their husbands or wives died, and then 
were converted. So in the case of this woman. They 
look back upon the lost years — a wasted life ^ and the 
last snuff of an expiring candle is offered to the Lord. 
When Joshua was commanded to lead the children of 
Israel over Jordan, he was told to observe the law of 
God. " Turn not thou to the right or to the left, that 



258 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest." It 
pays to take time to consult the word of God. A mo- 
ment with God saves us an eternity of misery and re- 
morse. 

After one of the evening meetings, my soul was much 
burdened for certain ones whom I knew to be convict- 
ed ; and coming home, I could not eat nor drink, and in 
the morning I felt the same. And so I bowed in prayer, 
and knew that I should remain there, fasting and pray- 
ing, and said ; " Father, I cannot arise until the door 
opens and these precious souls come in." I knelt there 
until 10 o 'clock, A. M. ; then all was bright and clear. 
The burden had rolled away, and I could only praise 
God, but still on my knees. Then I heard the bell ring- 
ing, and there were two ; but not only they who had been 
long convicted, but others came and sought the Lord. 
After the first two, others followed, and all that day 
men and women came and went. A wonderful day ! 
Some had been too troubled the night before to go to 
sleep, and in the morning they could find no peace until 
they sought it at Jesus' feet. 

At a meeting in the afternoon, at 3.30, three souls re- 
mained in the hall and were converted, and four more 
at another meeting at six o 'clock, before the preaching 
service in the large hall. A man living in adultery 
came, and, confessing his sin, obtained forgiveness. The 
following day he brought his poor, unhappy wife, who 



IX SOUTH AMEEICA. 259 

had almost despaired of ever being liappy any more, and 
then it seemed as if new life had entered their souls, and, 
like as twenty years ago, when they knelt at the altar 
together, a purer and a nobler union was established 
between them. Yes, the life of Christ 4vas theirs from 
that moment. (Since my return to South America, I 
received a letter from this family. They established a 
weekly meeting at their house, and to this day it is kept 
up, and God blesses them in the work of winning souls.) 

The Experience of a Dressmaker. 

A dressmaker who had received money from many 
ladies to put " extras " on dresses, which " mother *' did 
not order, and who in many cases confessed that the 
money had been obtained under rather doubtful circum- 
stances, was so troubled about receiving such money, 
that after hearing the word, she must confess her sins 
to God, and was happily converted. She said then: 
" My work is all among the better class ; but, oh," said 
she, " you would be surprised how many of the most 
refined daughters of the best families commit this sin, 
and I believe mothers themselves, who wish so much 
that their daughters may look nice and neat, train 
tiiem to steal money out of father's or mother's pocket- 
book ; and they do not suspect at all what hai*m they 
are doing by encouraging fashion." I do not doubt it 
a moment. Does it not remind one of the " chain-gang " 



260 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

already, to hear the tinldmg of arm-bands of to-day on 
the wrists of the fair daughters of the land. This 
woman gave back the money she had of late received, 
The parties were ashamed and thunderstruck by her 
simple testimony for Jesus, and she lost her customers ; 
but she told me she got so much to do, as to occupy 
her all day. Others had been sending her work who 
would not steal from their fathers and mothers. 

Snatched fkom the Burning. 

A poor girl, who was persecuted by a German baron, 
came bitterly weeping, to seek the Saviour. She had 
just heard God's word, and it fastened in her heart like 
an arrow ; and when the tempter came, she fled fi'om 
him. She could not sleep all the night following. She 
could but weep. God had preserved her from a dreadful 
fall. She came in the morning and said : ^' I must pray 
with you. I must find my Saviour this morning." I 
pitied her as she wept. It seemed there was something 
so dreadful about her trouble, and she manifested a 
dread to leave the room, and she would say : " I cannot 
go on the street without my Saviour : no, I will not ! I 
will not ! I must have Christ ! " I said ; " Tell me 
what is in the way. You must be calm for a moment, 
and look to Clnist, and He will save your soul, and 
your tormenting fears will all be gone." She sat down 
and seemed calm for a few minutes, and she said : " He 



IK SOUTH AMERICA. 261 

will come back again to-clay, and I see my awful sinful- 
ness and weakness. I must be God's this moment." 
She had become quite calm, and I could speak to her. 
She saw now clearly what she wanted, and in deep 
humiliation she lay at the feet of Jesus, and then the 
peace that filled her soul was wonderful. It was 
pictured on her face. She praised God for salvation 
through Christ. I met this person afterwards, and she 
said God had arranged everything wonderfully for her, 
and had spared her the bitter struggle of the meeting 
she had anticipated in the morning of her deliverance. 
The baron had fled to Italy, involved in other troubles. 
God delivereth the poor and needy, and them that cry 
unto Him. Glory be to God forever ! 

A few days after this occurrence, the lady brought 
her sister to the meetings, and she was converted to 
God, and leads a young ladies' meeting. Tavo women 
came to me for prayer and salvation. They had both 
lived in open rebellion against God and the laws of the 
country ; but eight years ago they had heard the word, 
and they were afraid to go on in sin. They concluded to 
leave the path of unrighteousness, and provide honestly 
for themselves in the sight of man and God, and attend 
church every Sunday. " For eight years we have been 
miserable," they said, " our conscience smote us all this 
time, and there was no peace within us. We tried 
everything to do right; but we have no peace with 



262 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAJVI TAYLOR 

God. We have attended tlie meetings in the city, and 
now see what we really want. We must be born again." 
I prayed with them, "and they both prayed for them- 
selves, and before leaving me, had found what they had 
not found in all the eight years of trying to work out 
this salvation, when nothing was "in" to "workout," — • 
the pardon of their sin and the cleansing from in- 
dwelling sin. They knew all about the "repression 
theory," — they had tried their hand at that these many 
years, and I could easily lead them immediately from 
pardon to purity. They saw their privileges in Christ, 
and accepted Him as their Justifier and Sanctifier by 
faith. 

I had preached on Rom. viii. 1. The following 
morning the postman brought me two letters from such as 
had, during the night, at home, found perfect love, and 
felt constrained to confess at once by letter. Another 
person came to my room, and there found perfect rest 
from inbred sin. 

A mother brought her two children and a friend, all 
adults. The mother stepped into an adjoining room to 
pray there alone, while the three remained with me. 
Soon light came, and the son ran to meet his mother, 
and kissing her affectionately, cried out : " It is all 
right now, mother ! I am saved from sin ! " So, also, 
testified the other two, and it was a great blessing to 
my own heart to see those three happy souls, just saved, 



IN SOUTH AlklEEICA. 263 

and a mother who saw her children brought to Christ. 
Also, that day, I received twelve letters bringing the 
glad news that as many souls had found the Saviour. 

Sept. G, took train for Z , East Prussia, to hold a 

ten days' meeting, together with more friends from 
the south of Germany. 

Satan on Development. 

First meeting, two souls remained after the meeting, 
and v\^ere converted to God. They were man and wife. 
Both had stood on the ground of " development " for 
years ; but found they had not developed out of sin yet, 
and let Christ save them. Satan likes this developing 
idea very much, and does not mind it if a person only 
stays there a good long time, in not believing that 
Christ can save from sin " now." This " to-day," — if 
he could only scratch it out of the Bible, he would do 
good business, and hell would enlarge her borders. 

The meetings at Z were of great good. People 

from far and near attended the meetings, and these 
were a great blessing to the whole community. Many 
were converted to God. The wife of a clergyman 
could not find forgiveness, although praying with tears 
and in great agony. I discovered that she would not 
forgive some people who had sinned against her and 
her husband, speaking evil, and, as she thought, had 
neglected him in a severe sickness. So God could not 



264 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

forgive lier. She went away sorrowful, but un- 
saved. 

Returning to Berlin, tlie meetings were continued. 
I attended a lecture given by an infidel. He said among 
other foolish things concerning the development of 
lower life into higher life : " The eel will leave his 
watery bed and go into a field of green peas, of which 
he is very fond, and thus take upon him the nature of 
a snake ; or the robber-bee goes out and robs the bee- 
hives from an instinct, trusting to make an easier living, 
and develop a higher species of their kind." ' I left the 
place, and thought, the convicts in the penitentiary 
would not agree with him there. With them it has 
proved only true, in the development of a higher species 
of their kind, — robbers, murderers, etc. But as man? 
Here is Christ, who can save, change from glory to 
glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

A Rei^iaekable Experience in Fasting. 

A man who had developed into a lower species of his 
kind through drink, was brought to God, and in this 
wise : A woman came to me and requested prayer for 
her husband, who had been eight years a drunkard. I 
discovered that this praying wife was a most excellent 
Christian, tried in the fire of affliction ; but kept humble, 
and endued with wonderful patience. Patience had had 
her perfect work in her in the highest sense of the 



I>T SOUTH AMEPvICA. 265 

word. Not a cross word, on her part, with her husband 
all these years. She nursed liim like a child, and cared 
for him as a wife only can, and yet no change. We 
prayed for the poor drunkard, and taking up the Bible, 
I read to the woman : " This cometh not out but by 
prayer and fasting." She looked at me for a moment, 
and I told her it had just occurred to me, that along 
with the prayers there was another way opened, and as 
up to date everything had failed, then the Lord opened 
a way, left untried. This she listened to eagerly. She 
seemed to drink in every word, and a new light had 
dawned upon her. Then she said : " But how will I 
fast? My husband, if he sees I will not eat at the 
table with him, may get angry." " Dear sister," I said, 
" I would not dare make a commandment for you, and 
it would never do to make any arrangement with me 
here ; but you go to your home and pray, and let God 
direct you about it." " But how will I know ? " " Just 
go now and you shall know. God will remove every 
doubt about the matter, if this be the way for you to 
go." She left me. After eight days she came back, 
and looked so happy and fresh. Her eyes were not 
red, and the careworn look was not upon her face. She 
said : •"' My soul exalteth God for His Avonderful mercy. 
When I returned home, I retired and prayed much to 
God for His divine direction in regard to my husband, 
and to my great grief he came home that night intoxi- 



266 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

cated, and in the morning was unable to rise, lie was 
sick. It had now become clear to me I could fast 
unhindered. I attended him all day, but he did not 
speak to me. When dinner came I fasted, and when 
supper came I fasted ; but before going to bed I felt 
sick, and oh, so faint ! I craved something to eat. I 
knelt down in prayer for my husband, and while plead- 
ing with God, 1 received a baptism wliich I had not had 
before, and when I arose I had no desire for food ; and 
it did not come back, although I fasted all the next day 
also, even not taking any water to drink. My husband 
got very much worse, and I begged him to send for a 
doctor ; but he would get angry when I mentioned it 
to him. He would not speak to me, and gave me no 
answer to anything I asked him, and this was a sore 
trial; but I was much strengthened in prayer. The 
third day came, and he felt very sick, and I still fasted 
and prayed. I knew I had hold of Christ for my hus- 
band, and would not let go until He would answer me. 
That day I knew that God would save my husband. 
When evening came he sent for me. He called me by 
name, which he had not done for a long time. I had to 
restrain myself to keep from weeping. I sat down on 
the bed, and stroked his burning forehead. He took 
my hand, and for the first time for years I saw him 
shedding tears. Then he asked me to forgive him ; I 
knelt down beside the bed and held his dear hand in 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 267 

mine, and kissed liim. I forgave him everything with 
all my heart. He then said, ' Oh that God might for- 
give me ! ' Now the Lord's time had come, and we 
prayed together. He gave up the cup from that hour, 
and we are happy once more, after eight years wander- 
ing. My husband is happy, and I am happy." She 
closed her affecting story by saying : " I have seen the 
glory of my God. Thanks be to Jesus, the mighty 
Saviour ! " 

A young merchant, who had been completely cap- 
tured by the theatre and fashion-devil, followed me in 
the cars four miles after a meeting, and then, at my 
house, spoke to me, and asked me, with tears in his eyes, 
not to part with him until he had found the Saviour. 
He spoke so touchingly, that I could not refrain from 
embracing him, and weeping with him. He came to my 
room Avith me, and there prayed, and God was merciful 
to this dear man. A portrait painter, in the same way, 
was brought to Jesus. 

When Christmas came, I was surprised in a very 
pleasant manner. Those who had been converted in 
Berlin, conspired with my good wife to make me a nice 
present, and had asked her to give them one of our 
pictures. Christmas eve it was returned, and when I 
stepped into the room, I saw before me, in a beautiful 
frame, and under glass, a fine picture of myself and 
wife, five feet high. Our young painter did the work 



268 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAJM TAYLOR 

in crayon. This was a great surprise indeed. It did 
me mucli good to see the good will of those who had 
so recently given their hearts to God. 

About this time the Lord was working in saving power 
among the young men, and a large number were con- 
verted, and with these several Sunday-schools were 
opened in different parts of the city, and now our 
evangelistic meetings were opened in the same parts of 
and the city, conducted under remarkable signs of 
God's favor. 

The meetings now reminded me much of the times and 
seasons of special refreshing in the United States, such 
as I so often experienced during camp-meetings and revi- 
vals. Men and women were so powerfully wrought upon 
by the Spirit, that they could not leave the house after 
preaching. The " church " was much opposed to the idea 
of a revival, or after-meetings ; but the people would not 
go home, and I was willing that God should have His way 
about it; and so, many who had been saved through 
grace, were ready for work, and did work. In a meet- 
ing which I held in a new district, God so blessed the 
people that all over the hall they were kneeling, seeking 
for God, and all the workers had work, praying with 
the seekers. Every chair was turned into an altar, and 
scores of precious souls were being saved. It was 11.30 
when the lights were put out that evening. 

During the following day my house was filled with 



IK SOUTH AMERICA. 269 

such as would seek the Lord ; continually going and 
coming, and the most remarkable conversions took 
place. A poor sin-stricken woman came and confessed 
that two years ago she had told lies at court, in order 
to save her brother from degradation ; but she could 
not rest since the word had been preached to her. The 
poor soul struggled hard, and the enemy seemed to 
have a particularly good servant in her. The lying 
devil is a mean devil, and hangs to men and women 
longest of anything else. God deliver the millions of 
the earth from lies ! They believe li'fes, and tell lies. 
God have mercy ! 



CHAPTER XIY. 

EAST PEUSSIA. — THE ANCIENT CITY OF THE KINGS. 

FoK the month of January I was invited to labor in 
East Prussia. I started for Elbing on the second, and 
an eighteen hours ride by rail brought me to the city. 
At 8 p. M., next day, I preached to an immense congre- 
gation in the largest hall of the city, from the text in 
Matthew xii. 45, 46, — " the costly pearl." The religion of 
Jesus Christ is worth more than anything else in the 
world. It is like unto a merchantman seeking pearls, 
when he has found one of great price he selleth all that 
he hath to be the possessor. Can there be anything 
said to exceed this saying of our Master as to the worth 
of possessing Christ ? Three persons came to my room 
next day. One had been disappointed in his worldly 
career, had not sought after goodly pearls, but labored 
to find the counterfeit pearls. Another feared the ter- 
rors of death, and the third found it hard work to carry 
the world under one arm, and religion under the other. 
Poor soul ! he was tired out, and weary of this life. 
" Sell all," and possess the pearl of highest price. How 
many labor for that which satisfieth not ! Poor Agrippa, 
with his crown ! " Almost thou persuadest me," — he 
270 



IK SOUTH AMERICA. 271 

had not the pearl. Who was the real king ? — Agrippa, 
with the crown upon his brow, or Paul, with the iron 
chain upon liis wrists ? Ahab in his marble palace, or 
the prophet before him, in camels-hair dress ? The rich 
man, faring sumptuously — surrounded by the luxuries 
and comforts of life, — or poor Lazarus, with the dogs 
licking his sores ? No ! no ! we cannot be mistaken in 
the answer. 

Sunday, Jan. 6, was a day of special outpouring of the 
the Holy Ghost. It was the last day of meeting with 
the people in this city. Scores had found the Saviour, 
and especially among the young people a blessed work 
was in progress. Three meetings had been held each 
day through the week, and at every meeting the Lord 
saved some. At 2 p. M., I called a children's meeting. 
The large hall was crowded, — not a vacant place to be 
found. I spoke to them on John xiv. 1, 2. It seemed 
heaven on earth to be with these dear little lambs. 
At 4 p. M., meeting for adults. Preached on the five 
" cities of refuge." Tliis meeting was one of great 
power. The 8 P. M. meeting was still more so. 
Preached on "Abraham and Lot," or the difference 
between him that serveth God, and him that serveth 
him not. Many found Christ on that memorable 
evening, and I bade them farewell. 



272 six yeaes with william taylor 

In the Right Spihit. 

The Countess v. G. of P , liad invited me to 

preach in that place, and given two large halls in her 
mansion for that purpose. I accepted the invitation, 
and started for P , Monday forenoon. Every prep- 
aration had been made and the people invited for the 
first meeting at 5 P. M., of the same day. The house 
was filled with anxious hearers, and God condescended 
to pour out the spirit of conviction at the start, so that 
many felt constrained to inquire the way of salvation. 
The countess had been much in England, and was well 
acquainted with the modes of work during the Moody 
meetings, and so I had no trouble in inviting the people 
to the different adjoining apartments, turning them into 
inquiry rooms, and the countess as well as a sister of 
hers proved valuable helpers with the seekers. I fol- 
lowed the programme of the Evangelical Alliance, 
which was now in session all over the world. That 
spirit of union was felt in a remarkable degree in all 
the meetings of the week. A deaconess of the Luther- 
an Church in that place entered the inquiry room, and 
found a perfect salvation from all sin, by accepting 
sanctification by faith, thus fitting her for work in the 
inquiry room. The second day, seven souls rushed into 
the inquiry room ; they were in great haste to get rid 
of sin and Satan. All prayed, and hearts were search- 



IN SOUTH AMEBICA. 273 

ed, and confessions of sin made to the Lord. There 
was great joj in the house that day. God had surelj 
visited His people. The holiness meetings in the after- 
noons proved to be of vital importance. God seemed 
then to prepare us for the work before us, and we were 
not mistaken. While many in these meetings were led 
to a full and complete surrender, and the undecided led 
to decision, we found tliat the presence of the Spirit of 
God, in the evangelistic services for the unconverted, 
was manifested in great power, and when the work be- 
gan among the seekers, the Lord's people were ready 
for it. They did not then come to " claim faith," but 
they came to " exercise faith ; " and not so much " to 
be helped " themselves, as to " help others." Thus our 
minds were bent on this one object, that God might be 
glorified so that we bear much fruit. There were no 
different desii-es among the workers — we kept the 
" unity of the faith," and we understood this, and each 
other. Thus the powers of darkness gave way, and 
Christ was conqueror, and the recipients of His grace 
more than conquerors through Him that saved them 
from all sin. The meetings closed Sunday evening, 
Jan. 13; but to the last night the inquiry room was 
filled with seekers. Seven of the servants in this house 
had been converted to God, and the last man was the 
gardener, who had been addicted to drink, and came 
near losing his situation on that account. He settled 



274 SIX YEAHS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

the question forever by coming to Jesus, and was ac- 
cepted a member of the heavenly family. It was a 
blessing to me to see with my eyes how his Christian 
wife, who had been praying for liim these many years, 
was filled with joy, and wept for joy on the neck of 
her husband. 

The next station where meetings had been announced, 
and hall rented, was was Heiligenbeil. The hall was 
rather crowded, and some chairs and benches were ta- 
ken out to give standing room. The Spirit of God had 
stirred the country round about, and fell in power upon 
them when the word was preached. I arrived at 6 P. M., 
and preached at 7 P. M., so I drove from the station im- 
mediately to the hall. The people were burning to hear 
the word. 

A Methodist Old-Fashioned Meeting. 

Forty seekers remained after the meeting, and as we 
had no smaller rooms there, the brethren arranged an 
altar for the mourners. It was a good old-fashioned 
Methodist mourners' bench, but I had no time, however, 
to give it a name, or to explain. It was soon crowded, 
and the workers at work. One after another of the 
seekers arose, and confessed the Saviour. Such a meet- 
ing I had not seen for a long time : so many in one 
place praying to God for pardon. Not a soul was left 
beliind, — all had found the Saviour. The enemy had 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 275 

been totally surprised and defeated ; but be tried a 
game. Tlie hall-owner informed the committee after 
the meeting, that the hall could not be had for other 
meetings. We did not attempt to hold him to his 
contract, but before leaving the house, another man, 
having heard of it, came and offered his house without 
money and without price. The Lord opened a door, 
and who shall shut it ? Never fear, little flock — the 
Lord is thy Shepherd. The following evening was the 
last meeting in this place, and seven others stood up 
before the close, and confessed the Saviour. 

Wednesday, 16th, proceeded to a farm-house in the 
country ; but the accommodations were too small. It 
being winter, I thought it must be very uncomfortable 
to those standing in the halls and doors; but they 
would rather remain than to go away. Now, to 
describe this meeting, would be utterly impossible. 
Among the number that here found Jesus was one 
young man who found the Saviour in entire sanctifica- 
tion after he had been reclaimed from a cold, half-alive 
condition. While he praised God on his knees, he 
prayed God to help him to be true to his conviction to 
preach the Gospel, when a wealthy farmer's wife said : 
" Yes, amen, and I will pay his way." Would to God 
more such women and men would say such "amens" 
with a substantial backing to it. Many, however, like 
to say amen while others are praying, and never think 



276 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

that God wants them to answer that prayer. They 
expect it from elsewhere. 

Thursday, left for Bladieu, a town not far away. 
When I arrived in the afternoon, I found the people 
waiting, and Satan, too, had come to do his work ; but 
we will see how the dear Lord stood by us. The meet- 
ing had been announced for seven o'clock, but the 
people had crowded the large hall ever since four in the 
afternoon. Carts and wagon-loads full of human freight 
were lining the streets on every side, and hundreds on 
foot crowded the entrance to the house. The hall was 
upstairs, and used for dancing when it was secured for 
our meeting. When time for meeting had come, several 
brethren accompanied me, and, as they said, " to make 
room for me to go up stairs." I let them work for 
awhile, but, bathed in perspiration, they came back and 
had not succeeded in clearing a passage, and there 
seemed a great noise in the hall upstairs. I asked the 
brethren to wait and see how the Lord would help. So 
I raised my voice above the din, and cried : " Friends ! 
I am here, and come to preach ; just make room." In 
an instant the passage was cleared, and I was lifted up, 
and quicker than I ever got upstairs anjrwhere, I was 
set down inside the hall. 

Satan had sent some of his agents to work to frustrate 
our efforts that evening. Some infidels had collected 
together and offered to pay for a barrel of beer, if 



IN SOUTH AIVIERICA. 277 

certain individuals, who now were trying to raise a 
disturbance upstairs, should succeed in stopping the 
progress of the meeting. The people had removed 
every chair and every bench, and even my table, from 
the room, and lifted the doors out of their hinges, 
leading into other rooms adjoining our hall; and thus 
tried to make more room ; but I thought they must feel 
uncomfortable, and would hurt our meetmg. However, 
as I gave out the hymn : " There is a fountain filled with 
blood," I felt the Spirit's presence. 

Rioters made Fhiends. 

Reading the hymn, five drunken men, — those hired 
for the occasion, — kept up a great noise, and began 
quarrelling with those around them, and used profane 
language. The people became restless, and seeing this, 
I commanded the brethren to pray, while I turned to 
those rough men and said to them : '' Now, friends, I 
want to teach you this beautiful new hymn. I'll sing a 
verse. Now, watch and catch the tune." There was a 
dead silence in an instant, and I sang the first verse of 
that powerful hymn, with the chorus, " I do believe, I 
now believe." My five men, who had crowded about 
me, sang now the loudest, as I raised my finger asldng 
all to join me in repeating the verse. Then I asked all 
the females to sing the same verse, and the men join in 
the chorus. When the latter did so, I saw two of the 



278 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOU 

would-be disturbers make their way out of the hall, 
making an effort to leave unnoticed, but I saw them. 
The other two mixed up with those standing about and 
sang, and when the last verse was sung, one of the 
poor fellows wept like a child. Then followed the 
sermon. I stood on a small soap-box against the wall, 
but the Lord was there, and the word was wonderfully 
blessed to the hearers. It came down into their hearts 
in Pentecostal power. I preached from Ezek. xviii, 20 : 
" The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Near the close 
of the discourse I was constrained to cry out : " Who 
will take life ? " In an instant about thirty hands were 
up. It was of God, and I asked them to remain in 
that position until I counted them, in order to pray 
with them. Scarcely had I used the word "pray" 
when everybody knelt down, and the cries of those 
who desired life rose up to Heaven. Quickly the forces 
were collected and set to work, to help those dear souls 
in praying to God and pointing them to the Lamb of 
God. 

The Day of Pektecost had Fully Come. 

When the meetings closed, there were so many who 
had not been able to hear the word, I felt sorry for 
them ; they seemed to be hungering. I invited them 
for to-morrow, when three meetings were to be held. 
The house was filled to overflowing, and several meet- 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 279 

iiigs had to be held in succession. In the evening meet- 
ing, which was to be the last, I preached from Acts 
xxvi. : " Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." 
In the midst of the discourse I was interrupted by 
those who sought the Lord. It was time to go to work 
among them as the night before, and God was there to 
save. At 9 P. M., by the help of the brethren, we 
cleared the hall, so as to open a second meeting, and ad- 
mit those who had been waiting in the street — stand- 
ing in the snow. I preached from 2 Cor. x. ; " Be ye 
reconciled to God." The same power was manifested 
as in the first meeting. Some were praying aloud in 
the adjoining rooms, and others in the hallway leading 
down stairs. By this time the Lord had a strong band 
of noble workers in this town. Those who had been 
converted before, were now bringing in their friends, 
and praying with them. Thus closed our meetings 
here ; but to be continued from house to house by the 
saved ones. 

Zinten was my next place for work. The people had 
come out in great numbers, and our faith was tried. 
There was " no stir " in the congregation. Quite a dif- 
ference was visible. A brother asked me after the 
meeting, " What do you think is the matter ? " — " That 
God is saving the people," was the answer ; and I knew 
well it was so. How strange it seems that if workers 
in the Lord's vineyard have had times of refreshing, 



280 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

they are so easily led to question when the outward 
manifestations suddenly change! "What is the mat- 
ter? " There is a doubt in this question expressed, and 
it sounds as though we had not the same God of yester- 
day to deal with. " Not in my way, but in Tliy way." 
Let us calmly and sweetly wait upon God — "the same 
yesterday, to-day, and forever " — the same God ! Hal- 
lelujah ! " It is not by power, nor by might, but by 
My Spirit, saith the Lord." Zinten was a small place, 
with big sins, and when the Sabbath came we opened 
the hall at 5 p. M. I had been very sick during the 
night, with a high fever, and was no better at four in 
the afternoon. Three of the brethren came to my bed 
and said : " The people expect you to preach ; what 
shall we tell them?" "I will tell them the word of 
God at five o'clock ; and now, dear brethren, pray, if so 
be the will of God, I shall arise as soon as you leave 
the room." The three brethren prayed to God, and 
then left the room. I arose and dressed, and once more 
I bowed before my great Heavenly Father, and com- 
mitting myself — body and soul — into His hands, I 
asked Him, for Jesus' sake, to give me the victory over 
the body, and then I praised Him aloud for the victory 
we were going to have at the meeting. 

When I met the brethren, I was quite strong to 
preach. My text for the afternoon was Luke xix. 10. 
We had not to wait very long before the glory of the 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 281 

Lord appeared and filled the house. The cry for par- 
don rose to heaven from many hearts, and the sermon 
was brought to a timely close ; and dismissing the con- 
gregation, I invited all those to remain who were in 
real earnest about the salvation of their immortal souls ; 
but insisted that all others should retire. Thirty-five 
unconverted men and women remained in the hall, and 
after a short exhortation to them, we bowed to pray. I 
asked all to pray for themselves. A wonderful blessing 
prevailed then. The prayers were clear, and souls made 
sure. The victory was complete, and the bulwarks of 
the enemy had been stormed, and the banner of Jesus 
unfurled, and the shout of victory went up to heaven 
from the hearts of all who had sought and found the 
Lord. 

Monday, the meeting was continued. I preached on 
Naaman the Syrian, and after the sermon, again an invi- 
tation was extended to seekers, and again the Lord glo- 
rified His name in the salvation of many who remained 
and sought the Lord. This was the last meeting at 
Z . 

Before leaving for Konigsberg, the saved ones had 
started a praise meeting, and I heard the testimonies 
they gave in honor of the Redeemer. 



282 six years with william taylor 

The Ancient City of the Kings. — Kant's City. 

Konigsberg lias a large population, and a hall was se- 
cured to seat from 2500 to 3000 persons. It had a stage 
and niches, very suitable for our meetings. The meet- 
ings were to last three days, and three meetings each 
day. The day meetings were not appreciated, but the 
evening meetings were good, and the hall filled. After 
each meeting an invitation was given for seekers to re- 
tire to the niches, and we met with a hearty and healthy 
response. Thanks be to God for those who from this 
place shall meet in heaven ! 

I returned to Berlin after the meetings had been 
closed, and I could praise the Lord for His wonderful 
manifestation of love and power during my time in 
East Prussia, and I could see how in so many different 
ways the same results had been obtained. The last 

meetings at K were not accompanied with the same 

outward signs as those in other places, but the number 
converted stood not behind any of the others. Oh, 
how much do we learn, if but our eyes be stayed on 
Jesus ! I can afford to wait on Him, and He never 
failed to show me His glory in due time. Praise His 
name, oh my soul, for He is worthy to be praised ! 

On the way to Berlin, I had to visit one other small 
town, to preach there, and the Lord blessed me there 
very much, and a number of souls were converted to 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 283 

Gocl. One father brouglit his two sons — both married 
— to the inquiry room. Both seemed sincere, and con- 
fessing their sins, confessed the Saviour. I stopped 
over night with a brother, and I was just retiring, when 
I heard some one knocking against the window-pane. 
I opened the door to see who it was. One of those two 
sons, who had confessed the Saviour at the meeting, 
wanted to see me. He was in great sorrow, and wept. 
He begged me to hear him. He felt he must pour out 
his heart to some one, and pray once more with me, for 
the enemy had been sore pressing him. I prayed with 
him, and he was so filled, that, weeping for joy, he threw 
himself on my neck and kissed me. Truly God spoke 
peace to my soul, and gave him the victory over sin and 
death. 

Saturday, the 26th, I returned to Berlin. My dear 
wife seemed to have completely recovered her health. 
The nine months in Europe had, thanks to God, not 
been without effect upon her, although for a time it 
seemed that the loss of our children would take away 
all hope for her recovery. 



CHAPTER XV. 

MY KETURN TO CHILI, TAKIKG WITH ME A GERMA:N" 
COLONY. 

We had long given up the idea of returning to the 
United States, but ever since our darling children had 
gone to God, our thoughts had wandered back to our 
beloved Chili, — only we did not expect to return to 
Valparaiso, fearing that the old trouble would come 
back. "VVe hoped and prayed that the Lord would open 
a field in the more southern part of Chili. Our prayers 
soon were to be answered. Through the Chilian minis- 
ter at Berlin, we received a letter from Paris, from an 
agent of the same government, who asked me whether 
I would return to Chili, and if so, try to take with me 
a German Colony, and in this case I should receive a 
free passage for myself and wife to Chili. "VVe prayed 
over the matter, and it appeared clear that God might 
use me to bring to Chili a good colony of Christian 
and industrious people. Our minds were soon settled 
on the question, and I made my intention known to 
some of the people in Berlin and East Prussia. I re- 
ceived many letters from such as were willing to go, 
taking good care to select Christian people, and in the 
colony to represent every trade, as well as farmers. 

284 



IX SOUTH AMERICA. 285 

Twenty-six families were to meet me in Hamburg, and 
twenty-seven more at Bordeaux, and about eighty more 
were to follow after the rainy season, seven months la- 
ter, as they could not get ready for the ship. Those 
going by the way of Hamburg, were to meet me there 
on Thursday, the 7th of February. As I was packing 
our trunk, quite unsuspectingly, a police officer entered 
the room and arrested me in the name of the king. On 
inquiry, I found that I had, unknowingly, violated one 
of Bismarck's laws concerning emigration. It had 
been forbidden, and yet I had engaged those families. 
This was a great trial, and rather a sad parting impres- 
sion upon me on leaving my " Fatherland " ; but I 
must obey the law, and pay the penalty. I was fined 
$200. Some friends who had heard about it in visiting 
my good wife, collected at once, and raised more than 
was necessary. Countess W. contributed 8200, and a 
grandchild of the old Marshall " Vornarts "-Blucher, 
gave $100 more. Surely, some trials and afflictions 
await us everywhere, and while the Lord permitted this 
to befall me, I feel to pray God for more wisdom, and 
an open eye, and make no complaint. Many times we 
bring trials upon ourselves, when God had nothing to 
with it. The Lord will bring it about and then we 
have the Lord's deliverance ; but He will not forsake us 
even in the former case — only we feel like a child 
which puts its finger into the fire to find out what it is. 



286 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

Father won't punish it, but tells us, "Don't do it 
again." 

This delayed us in Berlin two days. When we ar- 
rived in Hamburg, we had only just time to visit once 
more the graves of our children. We realized so fully 
God's presence, that while the tears flowed, sweet 
peace and comfort reigned within. We had ordered 
two marble slabs, and when we stood at the graves they 
had already been placed upon them. The words in- 
scribed were only these : " John xvi. 16 : A little while." 
Leaving the spot, probably never to look upon it again, 
I pressed the hand of my precious companion and whis- 
pered : " A little while." — " Yes, a little while," she re- 
plied, "and all is well." Then we entered a coach and 
drove back to the city, and to the wharf where the 
steamer was ready to take us to England, there to meet 
our steamer for South America. Our colonists were all 
on board in due time, and happy. 

The Father of a Large Fai^hly of Big Little 

Ones. 

Thousands of questions were ask eel, and I felt happy 
to answer all I could ; sometimes, however, it was im- 
possible to do that. Then the children would come and 
ask me questions, and I had to stand it all ; sometimes 
I thought they were more inquisitive than the " big 
children." The big ones would know all about the Ar- 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 287 

auco Indians, while the little ones were satisfied to 
know that we had plenty of nice " dolls " in that coun- 
try. 

A boarding-house had been secured for them here, 
and I had also cabled to England and arranged every- 
thing for their reception there, and I was held responsi- 
ble by some, for all the " poor dishes," bitter coffee, and 
stale bread, and hard beds, and a lot of other things 
that I never found out ; but things went on splendidly 
after all. I found sufficient opportunity " to do " for 
them. 

We soon had embarked, and were under way, — no 
baggage missing. Half-way across the Channel, many 
were sea-sick. Some thought it was the steamer's fault ; 
others, the rough weather ; again, some thought " I did 
it " ; but when we stepped on shore, all were happy 
again. Only two days we need wait in Liverpool. The 
Chilian Government provided us with a free pass to 
Chili, and also contracted to give to each family, one 
yoke of oxen, with cart and American plow ; one hun- 
dred boards for building purposes ; forty kilogrames 
nails ; one cow, with calf ; fifteen dollars per month for 
one year, and physician free for two j^ears ; and to each 
family, 120 acres of good land ; and sixty acres more for 
each male member above twelve years. Conditions: 
That what each colonist received in cash, or cattle, and 
the passage money, is to be paid for in eight years, with- 



288 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAJSI TAYLOR 

out interest. The government has fulfilled her con- 
tract to the letter. 

We embarked for Chili on the 13th of February, 
1884, on board the CotopaxL The passage across the 
ocean was a splendid one, and the emigrants be- 
haved well. Services were held every Sabbath on 
deck. In Bordeaux, we received the rest of our 
party for Chili. One little child died before reach- 
ing Brazil, and one was born into the world. The pa- 
rents called the little girl " Cotopaxi." In Rio Janeiro, 
myself and wife, as well as a number of colonists, vis- 
ited the city. I called on some of the missionaries and 
spent the evening with them. The steamer left the fol- 
lowing day, at noon. Before returning to the ship, we 
took lunch at the same hotel where we stopped about a 
year ago. The same waiter was there, and he recogniz- 
ed us at once. His first question was : " And where 
are your nice little boys ? " — " They are with Jesus, 
my friend, — God has taken them home." My wife 
smiled, but her eyes filled with tears. She told me af- 
terwards : " I suppose we can never be spared the ques- 
tion, and it pains ; but oh, God is good ! They are with 
Jesus." 

Once more we passed through the Straits of Magel- 
lan ; but they were as dismal and gloomy looking as a 
year ago ; and passing out at the west entrance, we en- 
countered a heavy head gale, and the steamer worked 
heavily — not making five miles an hour. 



IN SOUTH AJMEEICA. 289 

In five days more we landed — '■ on the 28th of March 
— in Talcahuana, to discharge our human freight. All 
were safely landed. None were ill, and all looked hap- 
py. Some had brought money with them, and I ex- 
changed it and got a good price for it. The govern- 
ment officials conducted us to the railroad station, and 
we took train for the interior. The first stopping place 
was Concepcion. The colonists staid at the soldiers' 
barracks. This was trying to some, but could not be 
helped ; and, besides, they understood all before leaving 
their old home, and but little complaint was made. 
Soon we were on our way to Angol, where we received 
our outfits and guides. 

Ckossing the Coast-Cordillera. — The New 
CoLoijnr. 

After a long rest of fifteen days, each family took 
charge of their carts and oxen, stowed their baggage 
and provisions, and now the whole train started on a 
three days' journey to the interior. Many of these 
good people had never driven oxen, and the men got 
out of patience with these docile animals. The chil- 
dren would cry, and the mothers lose patience, so in a 
sense they were all children. However, we, safely 
reached our destination — our new home, — a beautiful 
spot, on the western slopes of the Coast-Cordillera of 
Nahuelbuta, and on the map called Contulmo, situated 



290 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE 

neai a lake seven leagues long, but only one league in 
breadth. We found some natives there who had rented 
some land from the government. The huts, or ranchos, 
they lived in, had been bought for the colonists, so we 
found shelter at once, — the natives moving to other 
parts in the country. 

I had gone out with them intending to stay in the 
colony, if so be the Lord's will, and accept land for 
myself, and commence school and mission work at the 
earliest possible date. Besides this, I desired to make 
arrangements for other families who desired to come 
over from Germany, but could not get ready for the 
first expedition. There were about eighty families in 
East Prussia who desired to come, besides many of the 
relatives of those with me now. We were to form, how- 
ever, the only colony in those parts, and found that all 
those coming after us were to be settled a day's journey 
from Contulmo, to the south, and on the eastern side of 
the Coast-Cordillera, so as to place that mountain range 
between us and them. I at first felt a little un- 
comfortable about that arrangement, as I thought it 
would limit my field of labor too much to labor a 
lifetime among so few. But I thought to utilize our 
forces ^i mission work — something at the back for 
future development of the work among natives. The 
farm was to be the source of supplies for myself and 
family; accordingly I put my hand to the plow, and 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 291 

with the help of a native, with whom I contracted, 
put in the seeds for next years harvest. 

During the succeediug months, it became clear to me 
•that I could not do farming work, pastoral work, and 
teaching day-school, aU alone. The government 
promised to build a school-house, and I told them that 
I would send for a teacher. They desired me, however, 
to assume the responsibility of the school, to which I 
consented. Accordingly I sent for a teacher, who 
arrived from the United States in due season. 

In the meantime the Lord had visited our house with 
a great blessing. In the month of July, a daughter was 
born to us. 

Settling the Colonists in Their New Homes. 

Services were begun from the first, and a weekly 
prayer-meeting established, to be held in different 
places each Wednesday evening. Both meetings were 
well attended, according to circumstances. The school- 
house was almost finished, and the colonists had done 
their field-work long ago, and harvest-time had come 
close to hand. Tilings looked cheerful, with* one 
exception. Among the number of people we had 
brought with us, were some whom I designated " black 
sheep," and they caused us great trouble. I was not so 
much disappointed, as I felt sorry for them ; but we 
would look to God and pray. However, a community 



292 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

is never without such. We learned that lesson in our 
turn. 

When the teacher at last arrived, the government 
made an arrangement with him to pay him out of the 
treasury, $1.50 per child ; hut less than fifteen in school 
at a time. Only a few weeks for consideration was 
given, when our teacher thought this not to be the 
place for his work, nor a school, and that he might be 
able to do more good in the city. This was a great 
trial. He received a call to our college at Concepcion. 

When we were alone once more, I saw that I could 
not take upon myself the work, and a trip to Santiago, 
our mission headquarters, became necessary, and there 
the brethren were consulted. Considering the circum- 
stances, it was thought best to abandon the field at 
present, allowing the colonists to develop a self-support- 
ing work among themselves, after two ^^ears more work 
on their farms, and then send a man to them. But I 
myself was to be sent back to my old field of labor — 
at Valparaiso. My dear wife had completely recovered 
her health, and since our return, had improved, so as to 
justify my return to Valparaiso, even in consideration 
of that question. 

The Needs of Valparaiso. 

In order now to put the work there on a firm footing, 
and to gather to a home my Methodist Church, and 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 293 

continue the work as I had done for three years, the 
incumbrances of those years, which kept the work 
from being properly organised on a broad platform, 
must be removed ; such as renting unsuitable halls — 
too small, and not in the right location — and paying 
high rents. Valparaiso is situated along the sea-shore, 
and in order to make room for streets and buildings, 
the hills back of it — or rather, part of them — being 
dumped into the sea, and the houses built thereupon. 
This accounts for the high cost of the ground, high 
rents, etc., in the best parts of the city. Business 
houses are chiefly erected on this " made ground," and 
no provision is made for large halls, if we could be 
ever so willing to pay high rents ; and such as would be 
rented are only large rooms, at best, badly located for 
Christian work. We must, then, call upon the friends 
of Bishop Taylor's missions in South America, to supply 
our "Building Fund Society," with means to put up 
our necessary buildings in Valparaiso, as we had done 
at Iquique, and Coquimbo, and Concepcion (just start- 
ing), — Valparaiso being the most important station on 
West Coast for a thoroughly Methodist work. 

When this was clear to our minds, the brethren said : 
" Then, Bro. Krauser, you must go and tell the friends 
at home what the Lord is doing down here for us, but 
more especially in your work in Valparaiso, as it is for 
that place you require the money." After much prayer 



294 SIX YEAES V/ITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

and fasting, during which latter exercise I experienced 
great blessings, it was made plain to me. My dear 
wife was consulted by letter, and she consented to the 
short separation — for the Master, " and the glory of 
God," — as she added in her written reply. " It seems 
so hard," she said, " but when I remember Jesus and 
the work here in Chili, I say. Yes." 

From Santiago I returned to our home, and made 
preparation for the journey. * 

Divine Services at the Colony. 

I preached in Contulmo once more before leaving 
Chili, and I had the great satisfaction, after the service 
was closed, to have a brother and sister come up to me 
and say : " We will continue our Sunday services. We 
will, by the help of God, go and hold meetings wherever 
we are invited." The first appointment for the following 
Sabbath was made in my presence. God will be with 
them, for both are soundly converted to God. They 
are now waiting for the time to come that they shall be 
able to call upon us to send them the right man in due 
season. 

Before returning to Santiago, I visited those colonists 
who had since arrived from Germany, and I found about 
one hundred families, nearly all from the East of Ger- 
many. Tlie most of that number had either heard me 
preach the Gospel on my visit to East Prussia, or 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 295 

througli others heard my name in connection with this 
project of colonization, so I felt at home among them, 
and they were glad to see me. All were willing to sup- 
port a preacher as soon as they would be settled, and in 
some way open a market for their produce. 



CHAPTER XYI. 

THE FUTURE OF CHILL— SOMETHING ABOUT THE 
LAND AKD ITS PEOPLE. 

In a few years these regions will present a very dif- 
ferent look. Towns and villages are springing up all 
over the Araucanian territory, so that even now the 
farmer finds a market. A railroad through this same 
country will be completed in 1887, connecting the in- 
terior with the larger cities of the land, and with all 
the seaports on the West Coast. Then it will be the 
time for us to take up this work in the interior, not only 
among the foreigners, but also among the natives, and 
the country will produce abundant resources for our 
self-supporting missions among the people. 

The people of Chili, religiously, are in a sad condi- 
tion. Three hundred years ago the Spaniards brought 
with them the Roman priests, — the worst calamity that 
can befal any nation. The people have been priest- 
ridden ever since, and the result to-day is, that the poor 
are terribly degraded, and in the lowest sense, siipersti- 
tious, and with but little sense of honor; while the 
middle classes and the rich are marching fast toward 
infidelity. They are nothing. They are not Catholics; 
296 



I 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 297 

but from the standpoint of Romanism, as having seen 
it practised by its representatives for three hundred 
years, they judge the religion of Jesus Christ, and " the 
Christ" himself. These facts make the work a hard 
one — more difiQcult than the work among the heathen 
of other lands. And yet. Chili is one of the most lib- 
eral countries in South America, and foremost in inter- 
nal development, and most settled in government ; and 
the recent changes that have taken place — the intro- 
duction of the civil marriage law, the legalizing of re- 
ligious worship of the different branches of the Pro- 
testant Church — all speak well for Chili ; but if any 
one has watched closely the recent struggles of the 
"Liberal party " to separate church and state, one could 
not help but see that it was not simply an effort to get 
rid of Romanism, but to get rid of all religious obliga- 
tions — to get rid of Jesus Christ — to get rid of God, 
as one has said, " I defy God " ! 

Next to nothing has been done by missionary soci- 
eties to avoid this tide of infidelity which bade fair to 
sweep a nation out of existence into hell. A few noble 
men, like Dr. T. of Valparaiso, and Dr. S. of the Amer- 
ican Bible Society, have exercised an influence for good 
that should not be underrated, and helped on the com- 
ing of the recent remarkable events in the history of 
Chili. 

When seven years ago this grand and brave and God- 



298 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

fearing and God-trusting man, William Taylor, sent 
down to the coast of South America, forty-five noble 
workers — preachers and teachers, — he placed them 
into a workshop to do the hardest kind of work that 
ever missionaries were called upon to do ; but a work 
that could be done — yes — can be done in the name of 
Jesus. I say the hardest kind of work, considering the 
resources at hand. Not the resources of an India. With 
a transient foreign population, changing every few 
years, and not even caring to have their children edu- 
cated in this country, although now an oifer was made 
to establish good schools, — because of the bad influeiice 
their children were exposed to — the influence of 
badly-managed native children — the influence of 
the corruption that foreigners themselves introduced 
into the country. Here we found no English laws or 
English language, and foreigners not expecting nor in- 
tending to make this country their home, and a country 
thoroughly Romanized. Now, we have been working 
hard to get the children of foreigners into our schools, 
for a beginning ; and next, to offer to natives the 
chances for a liberal education, in which we have 
grandly succeeded; and have mostlj^ natives now in 
our schools. Considering the aforesaid, William Taylor, 
as well as his workers, soon found it to be necessary to 
establish good schools everywhere, and use them as an 
entering wedge, to do in the future an aggressive reli- 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 299 

gious work. Can any one imagine with what careful- 
ness, wisdom, and patience, we needed to do this work ? 
No, I think our friends cannot fully realize this feature 
in its every aspect; but one who has been observing 
the untiring, incessant, hard labor of that noble band 
in Copiapo, Iquique, Coquimbo, Santiago, and Concep- 
cion, will well understand why the work has been car- 
ried on in the way and on plans, as it has been carried 
on. But the time has now come that the dear Lord 
will relieve us a bit, "striking with the same old sledge," 
the same " old wedge," that we placed in position seven 
years ago. The wedge is in to its very head, and things 
will split, and we must make room for it — we must en- 
large our borders — enlarge the sphere of our useful- 
ness. The wedge has done its work, and that band of 
workers has to face the turning-point of our work in 
South America, and with heavy, yet wonderfully strong 
and trusting and hopeful hearts, stand waiting to see 
the salvation of the Lord in moving the hearts of 
thousands of our dear friends in the United States, to 
give, and to liberally give, to our " building fund," to 
line this coast with forts for Jesus, for the preaching of 
the Gospel. 

When Bishop Taylor was working in Coquimbo, ma- 
king a full hand at the carpenters' bench, he felt for liis 
noble workers — he felt for his beloved South America 
and its millions of unsaved souls ; and laying down the 



300 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

chisel and the plane, hastened to the States. Not only 
Coquimbo should possess a school, but other posts of 
more importance must have the same. When that man 
of God organized the " Transit and Building Fund So- 
ciety of the Taylor Self-supporting Missions," South 
America was uppermost in his thought. He understood 
the odds against us there ; he knew something of the 
efforts put forth to maintain the jfield ; he knew what 
tremendous rents we had to pay for our schools, halls, 
and parsonages ; he knew how hard teachers were work- 
ed on half the salary that others were getting. Bro. 
Taylor knew something about how unfortunate we have 
been in getting out proper men and women for our 
"self-supporting work," two-thirds not understanding, 
evidently, the meaning of " self-supporting " ; and he 
knew what dark hours we passed through, and what 
monies had to be raised among the workers, to ship the 
unfit back home. I am not here to judge whose fault it 
is, or who is to be blamed for sending persons into our 
field who are not fit, or returned in a few years, not 
able to stand the financial pressure ; but I must say they 
are those " who sent themselves." But, thanks be to 
God ! we have a remnant left of those who were among 
the first sent out by William Taylor, who have passed 
through deep waters ; but, by the grace of God, have 
surmounted every obstacle ; and, tried in the fiery fur- 
nace of affliction, and polished by the Spirit of burning 



IK SOUTH AMEEICA. 301 

and faith, tliey stand ready, on the banks of the great 
Pacific, to work and to die for the land that God has 
given them to go up and possess. Have we not the first 
claim on the generosity of our friends at home ? 

If not for our sakes, for the sake of Jesus our Sav- 
iour, and the millions of the people of South America, 
come and help us. We want 825,000 for our Valpar- 
aiso chapel, parsonage, and Seamen's Coffee and Reading- 
room, and $50,000 for our Santiago College. These are 
indispensable. If we expect to carry on our work suc- 
cessfully, these sums must be forthcoming ; and laying 
down our request at Jesus' feet, we believe that we shall 
have them. 

There is Bro. Baxter, working hard at Callao — an 
important station, — but with the same incumbrance of 
paying high rents, and at the same time not getting 
suitable houses to carry on his noble work on shore, and 
among seamen in that great harbor. We believe " Our 
Father is rich in houses and lands, and holdeth the 
wealth of the world in His hands," and that He has laid 
aside a portion of that wealth for our work in South 
America, and I know God is sending me to the States 
at this time to help gather it in, according to our pres- 
ent need. 

Needed Wokkees. 

What will follow next, is the demand for that class 
of godly men and women that such a work naturally 



302 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

would call for, and I am moved to say that, those being 
called upon to go out, should help our committee to 
avoid serious mistakes, as none of us are perfect in 
judgment, and most seriously consider the matter of 
coming and probably remaining for life, and to remain 
poor (for so it might be) from a financial point of view. 
Many have come, thinking to find a ready worh^ and 
were disappointed. Many have missed the comforts of 
daily life, and did not wait for things to change ; but if 
the experience of those who have stood from the begin- 
ning can help us, I think something might and ought 
to be said. 

There has been one young man who has worked but 
a few months, and is making only a little above his 
board. " How would you board ? " a strange question, 
no doubt ; but not to a Taylor missionary. Put in a 
straw tick, and wooden chair ; dispense with " courses," 
and a cheap and healthful fare may be obtained. That 
will do for a beginning. But doubtless these things do 
not occur to all people's minds, and they might as well 
be spoken of and things called up by names, and price- 
list furnished. 

Bishop Taylor's Mountain Goats. 

The Bishop wrote to me one day something about 
" mountain goats living on the rocks, and sniffing the 
air." My heartfelt reply was that I had no objections 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 303 

wliatever to the bill of fare, except that I thought I 
would not grow very fat upon it. After all, it may not 
be a good condition to be in, for a " Taylor missionary 
self-supporting basis." When I first began in Valpa- 
raiso, I had no bedstead to put my bed on, but I man- 
aged to " borrow " one after a while, for down here a 
man must first build up a credit, before being able to 
" borrow." In nine months, however, things were paid 
for; and now, after laboring in South America since 
December '78, I am graciously permitted to take steer- 
age passage to return home to raise money. Glory to 
God for such a privilege ! 

Now, if any good first-class missionary cannot recon- 
cile himself to these. facts, he or she had better not 
come. However, as to the continuancy of those ''close- 
corners," I might add it is but for a season. "Have 
ye lacked anything?" Bishop Taylor asked me one 
day. — " No, brother, never ! " was the joyful answer. 
These be sweet morsels, and not one of us would per- 
mit any one to take them from us for all the world. God 
doubtless has such at home, :who will come and enter 
upon faithful work in our field, and help take this coast 
for Jesus ; and while the Church at home is straining 
every nerve to raise a million for missions, let us raise 
two, one on each side. Furnish the money for our nec- 
essary buildings, and we will engage to get our living 
among the people where we labor. 



The foreign population, — such as North Americans, 
Germans, and English, — for the most, do not intend to 
make this country their home. It is true that some 
have lived here from twenty to thirty years, engaged 
in business; but these are exceptions. Others leave 
this country when they have money sufficient to secure 
them a comfortable living in the old country. Some 
go on account of their children, — if not grown up be- 
fore the parents are able to return to Europe or the 
United States, they send their children to school to 
those countries, much preferring to have them educated 
out of the country, because of the influence of the na- 
tives, which is not the best. However, the natives to- 
day are more sensible to the needs of a liberal educa- 
tion, and while they strive to get it, and thus encour- 
age that work among them, they will soon stand on a 
higher platform, and the foreign element will feel a 
higher interest in educational and Christian work than 
they have shown hitherto. But few consider Chili 
their home, and their beneficence is much regulated by 
it. Large sums might be invested,- to enable other so- 
cieties to put up their churches and mission rooms ; and 
but for this the means might be raised in the country 
itself, for all the buildings we need. The Roman Cath- 
olics cannot be asked to help us, and to wait until they 
are duly prepared to give large sums, would cause the 
work to be limited incalculably. 



IK SOUTH AMEHICA. 305 

Bishop Taylor, in his book, "Our South American 
Cousins," gives a very interesting report on that line, 
which will prove the correct statement of the aforesaid. 
(Chap. XV. p. 213. It is given in the words of the 
first pastor who came to Chili in 1845 — Rev. Dr. Trum- 
bull). He says as follows: "Being ordained for the 
ministry in Valparaiso in 1845, 1 sailed for that place in 
August, and arrived on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. The 
prospect was anything but encouraging. It was impos- 
sible for six months to secure a room for a chapel, until 
at last we obtained a dark and diminutive hedego (store- 
house). This has been our trouble during my time in 
Valparaiso " ; but he goes on to state another fact, 
which corresponds exactly to my experience in 1880-83. 
He says : " At the end of six months, however, the din- 
ing-room of the Chili hotel was offered, which was com- 
modious for an audience of a hundred. At the end of 
a year orders came from the owners in Santiago to va- 
cate the place, on religious grounds." Now, thus the 
priests used their influence in just that direction ; and 
in my time — 1880-83 — we were ejected in the same 
way, or exorbitant rents asked. Now Dr. Trumbull 
built a church, but not until he had labored nine years 
among the English. In my work the jjeople are ready 
now to move into a home, if I had one to offer them. 
However, this first church was so small, that in 1869 
another was built, and the old place sold to the Ger- 



306 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

mans. The cost of the new church was $57,000, Chili 
money, and out of that sum $26,000 was paid for the 
lot alone, and $37,000 expended for the building. It is 
found, then, that land is extremely high, and the follow- 
ing will show something of the reason. Bishop Taylor, 
in his book, says (Chap, xv.) : '•'• It is a city built on 
more than 'seven hills,' and precipitous bluffs facing 
the ocean. The city has but two or three level streets 
(near the ship-landing and the business part of the 
city). This level land, on which stand all the public 
buildings, and most of the business houses, was mainly 
recovered from the sea." At this present time, tliere is 
an extensive work of that kind going on, and several 
acres of ground will be gained ; but the prices for land 
will be very high, and on it we must build, in order to 
make the movement in some degree attractive. Now, 
money should not be the object to keep us from carrying 
on that work in Valparaiso. We must, by all means, save 
some ; and if we can add to the numbers of the church 
by raising a home for the mission, we are bound to go 
ahead, and in the name of God, get the money. There 
was a time when men said it was unsafe for any one to 
go to the " Maintop," for they were sure to be caught 
by the parson, and rum sellers did poor business. Now, 
I thank God for that spirit among the people. I feel 
we must improve it until that part of the Lord's vine- 
yard is cleansed of those terrible dens of vice. We de- 



IN SOUTH AISIEEICA. 307 

sire to make it proverbial, as in the time when a thief 
stole tlie horse of a Methodist preacher, and he, mount- 
ing with a few farmers, overtook the thief, who, when 
he was bound, and heard that the horse belonged to a 
Methodist preacher, said: "If he had known this fact 
he'd never have touched the horse, for he knew that 
they would be after him to the end of the world, and 
into hell to get hold of him." Amen ! praise the Lord ! 
May God intensify the desire of Christians at home, to 
help put missionaries in the way of doing more work 
for God in reaching souls, by giving to such an object 
as this on my hands now. 

I never felt so in my life, as I feel at present, since I 
am away for a season from Chili. I desire to hasten 
back, for I love that work — it has become a part of 
myself. Yes, I must look after my family. It is true 
that I have often been in danger ; but oh, how at home 
I feel in this work ! It is the work God called me to, 
and I do love it. I never loved it so much until one 
evening, while calling at different gambling and dancing 
houses, I saw a suspicious-looking individual following 
me close behind. He was a tall, powerful native, and I 
noticed he was closely watching me. I did not like the 
way he acted ; but never dreamed of what he really in- 
tended to do. When I walked down a narrow, dark 
passage, to reach the mission-room, to open my meeting, 
I was suddenly confronted, and the man drew a long 



308 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

knife, about one foot long, and made the attempt to 
plunge it into my heart. I wore an overcoat at the 
time, because in it I had five large pockets, purposely 
made to carry quantities of tracts, in as many different 
languages; and when the man struck, he seemed to 
know where the heart was ; but the knife met a large 
package of tracts that were in my pocket, and the 
shock I received caused me to stagger back a little dis- 
tance. Just then I heard the shriek of a woman, and 
in the next moment the galloping of a horse close by ; 
and in that moment, when the ruffian ran toward me 
for another trial, he was suddenly struck down by a 
policeman on horseback. Now, this was done quicker 
than I am able to write it down, and during that time, 
when first the man stood in front of me, until now, not 
a word had escaped my lips. A woman just turning a 
corner, stepped into the passage where I was struck, 
gave the signal to a policeman, who was halting on his 
horse, close by in the next street; and he, quick as 
lightning, put the spur to his horse, and appeared "just 
in time." The knife fell from the grasp of the assas- 
sin, and the woman picked it up and handed it to me, 
and I could see it was a terrible weapon. Before the 
man recovered, he was bound with thongs and tied to 
the saddle of the horse. Then the policeman request- 
ed me to follow him at once to the police station ; but 
being well known to him, I just gave him my card, and 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 309 

told liim that I had a meeting at the room, and that the 
men were waiting for me. He ordered me to appear 
the following morning at court. 

The unfortunate prisoner was dragged off, and I hur- 
ried off to my little mission-room. It was filled with 
anxious souls — none knew what had passed outside ; 
but when I told them that God had spared me to come, 
and once more bring the message of salvation, as one 
risen from the dead, the power of God came down up- 
on those assembled, in such a wondrous way as was 
never witnessed in our room before. It was the most 
solemn hour of my life, and the Lord saved five precious 
souls that night. From that night I have a different 
experience in my feelings toward that work. Oh, if I 
could be able to frame it in language ! but I cannot. I 
will say this : my soul is united to that work in Valpa- 
raiso, and I must hasten back. I love it ; yes. Lord, 
Thou knowest I love Thee and it ; for thou hast surely 
called me to do that work. Glory be to His precious 
name — the name of Jesus ! 

The next day the poor prisoner was sent to the pen- 
itentiary. He made no excuse, except that he said I 
had attempted to stab him first. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

MY PERSONAL EXPERIEJ^CE.— WONDEEFUL SALYATION. 

My soul has been drinking all the while from the in- 
exhaustible fountain of God's mighty love, and I am 
already amply repaid for the work I have undertaken ; 
but others must drink and know my God, and what His 
glory is. And if by means of tliis book the Lord has 
opened to me a way for the support of my family while 
away from Chili, and to pay my own travelling expen- 
ses while in this country, it is only the one side of what 
it is to accomplish, and my Jesus and my Saviour will 
take care of the whole. 

"O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for his mercy en- 
dureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath 
redeemed from the hand of the enemy; and gathered them out of the 
lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the 
south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they 
found no city to dwell in ; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in 
them ; then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered 
them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, 
that they might go to a city of habitations. O that men would praise 
the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the chil- 
dren of men. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hun- 
gry soul with goodness. 

"O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise, even with 
310 



IN SOUTH AMEBICA. 811 

my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp, I myself will awake early. I 
will praise thee, O Lord, among the people, and I will sing praises 
unto thee among the nations, for thy mercy is great above the heav- 
ens, and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Yea, I will tell what the 
Lord has done for my soul." 

Early Religious Training. 

In February, 1875, I heard for the first time the Gos- 
pel preached to sinners, in this country. My early re- 
ligious training, if training it could be called, I received 
under the hands of a minister of the Lutheran Church, 
in Germany. He was an eloquent man, but Christless ; 
and I do not remember a single sentence of any of his 
sermons preached in my hearing. They were, however, 
few, as I attended the public services perhaps only three 
times in the eighteen years of my life in Germany. 
Thus my religious " training " consisted of one hour a 
week, during a period of six weeks prior to my " con- 
firmation." When the pastor laid his hands upon my 
head to ' bless me, and I partook of the sacred cup, I 
was already a hardened and careless sinner ; but the 
music of the organ, together with the solemnity of the 
occasion, caused tears to start to my eyes for a moment ; 
then all was gone, never to return again for many years. 
I do not even remember the verse of Scripture that was 
given me before leaving the altar, and the certificate 
was soon lost. When I returned to an uncle's house, I 
received some cigars, with the words : " Now you are a 



312 SIX YEAKS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

man, and are allowed to smoke openly before men, with- 

9 

out fear of being punished." I felt proud, and that 
was all ; the day of confirmation had passed, and I en- 
tered upon a career of unrestrained pleasure and sinful- 
ness, and outspoken infidelity. 

The Influence of My Mother's Life. 

My poor mother was much grieved because of my 
conduct, and often wept, although it was long before I 
knew it. My mother I loved dearly, but her wonderful 
patience, her noble character, together with her high so- 
cial refinement, were unbearable to me. In her pres- 
ence alone I could be good, I thought ; yet I did not 
wish to be in her presence. With irresistible force it 
drove me away, to my pleasures, to my companions. 
There came a time when I looked upon my mother in 
wonder. I could not understand how a human being 
could be so good, so pure, so gentle, as she was; and I 
envied her, and a longing after such a life would spring 
up in my soul ; so that often, upon my bed, I caught 
myseK bitterly weeping, — only for a moment, however, 
— as soon as I became conscious of the state of my 
feelings, I tore myself away with an effort. Then I 
would for some time shun the eyes of my mother. I 
feared she would see what was going on within me. 
The time came when I found out that she prayed; at 
times. I feared her now, — that is, I strove hard to 



IX SOUTH AMEPwICA. 813 

hide mj bad conduct from her ; yet I knew that she 
was only too well acquainted with me, and I would at 
times feel, oh, if only mother would come to me and 
tell me something about myself ! if she would only tell 
me to my face that I could not deceive her ! I suffered 
now for years, untold torments, for I felt I loved her, 
and I would n6t have grieved her for anything in the 
world ; and yet, I could not resist sin. I stood alone, 
without God, without Christ, without hope in the world. 
I had never heard her utter a harsh word ; I had never 
seen her impatient ; but when, one day, I had grieved 
her very much, she came toward me with such a care- 
worn look upon her, looking at me with such piercing 
eyes, yet so imploringly, it seemed I could not bear it, 
and bitter remorse gripped my soul. Before I could turn 
away, she was at my side, and had caught my hand 
and held it in both hers. I did not dare look her in the 
face, for I thought her to be an angel in the form of my 
own dear mother. She softly called my name, " Oscar ! " 
and I looked up into her eyes. Oh, that moment ! It 
stands before my soul to-day. When I looked into 
those blue eyes, so full of grief, and filled with tears to 
overflowing, and the hot drops falling down upon my 
hand as she held it in her dear hands, I wished myself 
dead. Yes, I wished then I had died. I was so sick at 
heart — so tired of life. Why was it that God did not 
send me a ray of light then ? But not a word dropped 



814 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

from her lips. My hand dropped, lifeless, almost, to 
my side, and my mother had turned and left the room. 
I stood alone. 

My Infidelity Shaken, — Tkyln-g to Get Away 
FEOM God. 

In that hour I knew there was a God, and this was 
burned down deep into my soul. The life of my 
mother stood in living flames of fire before me. I 
was crushed to the earth by the mighty evidence it 
furnished, and now I strove, oh, so hard, day and night, 
to free myself from this weight of conviction which 
threatened to madden my brain. I drowned my feverish 
heart in the cooling ocean of pleasures, but only to 
increase the raging of the flames within. 

Dissatisfied with everybody and myself, I rushed 
headlong down the road to destruction. My home 
became too small for me — I had no rest. Day and 
night my mother seemed to stand before me, and I must 
look upon her wherever I stood, wherever I went, — and 
then the force of the fact, " There is a God! " I could 
not abate it. Miserable and sick at heart, and my 
infidel reasoning not able to cure the wound that I 
had received, and angry with the world because of its 
miserable weakness, I made a resolve, as a last remedy, 
to flee away from God — to abandon myself entirely ; 
but not at home — not so, that my poor mother should 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 315 

ever know wliat had become of her unhappy boy, whom 
she loved dearest on earth. I would go to North 
America. I stopped only a moment to think, " What 
will she say ? " and then I struck the cruel blow. 

I left the city, and then I wrote a letter, for I did not 
dare to look at her face. To my great astonishment, 
the answer was in the affirmative. I did not know 
what to make of it. Was it pride ? I did not know. 
Was it that her love to me was no longer the same ? 
Oh, I was so miserable once more ; for while I thought 
a mother still loved me, I might bear to live, if even in 
sin and shame. I hurried home. Preparations had 
already been made. Everything that such a mother 
could do had already been done for me, and my trunk 
stood ready. But the love of my mother had increased. 
When I saw her she had faded away, and how loving 
and kind she was I I felt the hardness of my heart, and 
for a time I was afraid of myself. But soon an effort 
set me on my feet again, and I thought I was strong : 
then a faint glimmer of a desire would spring up to be 
a better man ; but only to relapse into thoughts of self. 

A Beoken-Heakted Mothee. 

The day of departure arrived. Father and mother 
accompanied me to the station, Berlin to Hamburg. I 
bade them good-by, as I felt it to be forever, or rather, 
thought nothing concerning my ever coming back. As 



316 SIX YEABS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

the train moved, my mother reached out her hands 
once more and said : " My Oscar, be a better boy ! " 
Then she looked upward, but fainted, and sank in the 
arms of my father. These were her last words on earth 
to me, and thus I saw her for the last time this side of 
heaven. I heard the words, and I saw her faint ; but I 
had no tears, and I strove in vain to seek relief. 

On the 5th of August, 1872, I arrived in Liverpool, 
and on the 10th I embarked on the steamsliip St. Louis 
for New Orleans, La., where we arrived safely on the 
1st of September. I found, of course, things much 
different from what I expected, and work I would not, 
for a long time. But at last, when all my resources had 
been exhausted, and no hope of obtaining money 
without work could be entertained, I walked forty miles, 
down the Mississippi River, and began work on a sugar 
plantation. A German of my type had induced me to 
go with him, promising me employment through a 
friend, in the sugar-house. I had been deceived, how- 
ever, and I was compelled to work in the field. In 
three days after, I was thrown out of the lodging-house, 
sick with the fever, and unable to work. Somehow, I 
managed to reach New Orleans, and I was picked up 
on the street and sent to the hospital. A most miserable 
life followed now. For more than a year I was in the 
hospital, off and on. I had become totallj^ unfit for 
any kind of work ; every three or four weeks I was 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 317 

taken to the hospital again, where I stayed, perhaps 
a week or more. Only half restored, I left the hospital, 
for I had no rest, and upon my bed the most horrible 
thoughts tormented me. I felt I was forsaken and alone. 
I thought above all other things, about my mother, so 
far away from me. Memory was consuming me with a 
slow fire, and yet I was not relieved, — I still lived. 

In A31E111CA. — Sick and in Rags. 

In those hours I thought death would be a relief, — 
I mean those hours when I wished to work and could 
not, and when I walked like a shadow through the 
streets of the city, and my eyes fell by and by on ragged 
clothing and torn boots, — I mean those hours when I 
looked into the yards of private dwellings, to see 
whether wood was piled up there, that I might work 
for a bit of food. It is true I had not much appetite, 
but just enough to desire to quench the craving of 
hunger. Just a little was necessary ; but I was too 
proud to ask for it. Then those moments when I did 
begin to cut wood, and the axe would sink from my 
grasp, and I fell down on the heap, bitterly weeping, 
and unable to rise. Then a charitable hand would 
touch me, and lead me to the street, and send me again 
to the hospital. And in those hours, when I wished 
for death, — what if God had then cut me off? Oh, 
how my soul blesses the God of heaven that in His 



318 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOU 

mercy He permitted me to live at all, and when He 
permitted me to sink so deep in degradation and sin, 
to finally raise me up, to give me life and peace and 
joy, and entrust to me the oracles of God, to preach the 
everlasting Gospel. It is to the glory of Jesus, my 
Saviour, for ever and ever ! 

And how could I regain health and strength again ? 
I had given up all hope of ever recovering, — those 
terrible fevers would not loose their hold on me ; and how 
did I spend my nights ? Oh, wretched life of sin, away 
from God, no one pitied me ! I thought I needed 
sympathy — human sympathy — and I cursed mankind. 
My nights were spent in the empty cars on the railroad 
track, shaking with ague, and nothing but rags to cover 
my frame. The hand of God was heavy upon me, but 
He knew me best. God knew best what was in me — 
He knew to apply the medicine. It was bitter, and I 
was farther away from God than ever, and yet wanted 
it so. I wanted to get away from Him, but I did not 
want to suffer like that. I did not want to believe in 
Him, but I cursed Him to His face ! I did not want to 
know anything of God, but I blamed Him for the 
misery in which I was now, and cast up to Him my 
education, my breeding ; and now to be so sliamefully 
reduced ! Oh, I found it hard to fight against God I 
I would rage, and by force shake off my weakness and 
disease ; but my sins and my deserted home rose now 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 319 

like mountains up before me, and I sank back in 
despair. But at last I made an effort to escape this 
terrible climate. Sick at heart, and feeble in body, I 
left this State, walking on foot, but now and then, 
during the night, trying to get on some train, and 
sitting outside as best I could, between the cars, until 
I was detected by some one, and compelled to walk 
again. Thus I reached the State of O. : and now 
deliverance should come. May I be spared the bitter 
remembrance of the past; but notwithstanding, God 
must be glorified, and His sweet presence stills the 
tears, and causes me in the midst of them, to rejoice 
with joy and singing. If so be that the fountains of 
the deep break up once more, the floods of heavenly 
glory are overwhelmingly precious, and I join the chorus 
of fire. Redeemed, redeemed, yes, redeemed through the 
blood, the precious blood of the Lamb Christ Jesus, 
from all the filthiness and sins of my life, and cleansed 
from all indwelling corruption through sanctification by 
faith. 

Light feom Calvary's Ceoss. 

Suffice it, then, to say; the Gospel of Jesus was 
brought to me. Curiosity led me to hear " common 
people " preach, and to see a woman pray. Dear Fa- 
ther Webb, dear Sister Joice, how can I help mention- 
ing their names, that are so dear to me on earth ! with 
my tears I would burn them into these pages ; for has 



320 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOK 

not God found them worthy in the Lamb's book of life, 
and shall I not look upon them once more in the pres- 
ence of my God, on His white throne? Shall I not be 
there when they shall bear me in their arms and lay me 
down, a trophy, down at Jesus' feet, as a brand plucked 
from the fire ? 

The former was an employee of one of the railroad 

companies at C , and the dear sister a companion in 

the labors of love. 

After six long weeks, I felt constrained to bow down 
for the first time before God. I could not keep away 
from the meetings. I must go to hear, although others 
laughed at me and mocked me. But while I look up to 
God with thankful heart for this help, I bless His name 
for the hour when first I knelt down in prayer, after the 
brother had spoken on Christ's death on the cross. I 
could bear it all ; but when he told how that Christ had 
said : *' Father, forgive these murderers, for they know 
not what they do," I could bear it no longer, — I 
turned, sniitten to the heart, to see whether I could rise 
and go away, to be alone. But just then Sister J. knelt 
down right beside me, and all present were asked to 
join in pra3'-er. She prayed, and it seemed she prayed 
for me alone. I felt it, yes, I was not mistaken — she 
named me to God. Oh, how I felt the eye of God 
piercing me that moment, when this sister prayed : " O 
God ! save this young man I save him now, and put 
Thine everlasting arm beneath him I " 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 321 

Mj heart was broken to pieces under the stroke of 
the hammer of God's wondrous love. Still there was 
darkness, but I seemed to stretch out my hand and 
grope, yet quicldy I would withdraw my hand and say: 
"You are not meant, don't think it for a moment." 
Then my sins came rushing forward. I could bear it 
no longer. I started to my feet and made for my room. 
But the brother had watched me well. He met me 
just in time in front of the door, and taking one of my 
hands, he asked, imploringly : " Young man, will you 
be a Christian ? " 

When I was able to look up, I seemed that moment 
to understand the question. Like a flash it crossed my 
darkened soul ; but I had caught it. It was that I had 
tried to grasp during prayer a moment ago. Yes, glory 
to God I I knew, now, Christ had died for me, and 
stood to break down the middle wall of partition in 
my behalf. I saw in flaming letters before me, the 
words of my own Saviour, " It is finished ! " I firmly 
grasped the brother's hand, and said : " By the help of 
God, I will I " Oh, how I wished that moment that 
the good brother would wait and talk with me ; but the 
Lord knew better what was wanted, — he was prevent- 
ed, and left me to myself ; only saying these words, 
which I will not forget any more : " Remember, every 
night at twelve o 'clock I am on my knees praying for 
you. Until next Sunday I am night-watch all the week, 
in the station. 



322 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

A Peksonal Fight WITH Satan. — The Teerible- 

NESS OF Sin. 

I entered my room and thought to pray for the first 
time — earnestly to pray that God for Christ's sake 
might forgive me my sins. When I knelt down, it .seem- 
ed I could not speak the name of God, and great dark- 
ness fell upon me. The load of sin was too great for 
me, and I was in agony, and struggled for utterance, 
but the more I struggled to pray, the more terrible ap- 
peared my sins. I began again to bemoan myself, and 
wept because I was so miserable and unhappy. Still 
my sins rose up before me again, and brought before me 
the fact that these were the cause of all, and that I 
must have peace with God. Thus I wrestled and pray- 
ed, and agonized, yet no light came. I could not bring 
myself to the point to exercise faith, and perhaps I was 
not quite letting myself go, or had not yet, from my 
heart, renounced the world. I was not yet humble, 
and God, in His mercy, smote me still. I cried out : 
" Slay me, but save me ! " 

I lay thus in my room until Friday afternoon, at four 
p. M. I had taken but little food all this time, and I 
felt my strength giving way. But I was determined 
not to let go. I said to myself, continually : " Better 
die than live a moment in sin." I was feeble in body ; 
I could not bear any more strain, — weary and tired, I 



IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 323 

sat on my bed, when once more I knelt in prayer, and 
then, as never before, 1 cried out to God in the words 
of tlie Scripture which I had so often heard : " God be 
merciful to me, a sinner ! " and like a flood of light it 
dawned upon me, and I added : " Yes, Lord, right now 
I believe ! I believe ! " 

The work was done. The load of sin was lifted off. 
I was free, and I knew it. I jumped up from where I 
was kneeling, and praised God with a loud voice, — so 
loud that all in the house could hear me, and I was so 
happy that I laughed and wept at the same time. 
Some of the people in the house looked at me in aston- 
ishment. Then I heard one young man say : ^' Oh, he 
is crazy ! He '11 be all right soon, and we '11 have him 
back among the old friends." I replied at once, and 
said : " No, never ! You may have all the friends, all 
the world, and all that is in the world, but I have 
Christ ; and, thanks be to God, I have Him now I " I 
was converted : I belonged to God, and more, I had 
said on my knees, " Lord, I will preach Thy Gospel to 
every creature I " and the Lord held me to my word. 

Every day for about three weeks, I had been permit- 
ed to read the Bible and exhort the prisoners at the 
county jail in the city. God blessed me in these labors, 
and gave me many precious souls. Thus the Lord pre- 
pared me to work among the lost and the lowest, right 
from the beginning of my Christian course. The Bible, 



324 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

which had never come to my hand before, was my com- 
panion day and night now, and I devoured its contents. 
My soul was full of joy and praises to God. 

One day, however, a former companion provoked me 
to anger, and oh, how miserable I was when I felt it 
spring up within me ! I prayed to God at once, to help 
me, and I was helped instantly, so that the young man 
did not perceive what was going on within me. But 
when he continued troubling me, the same uprising 
came back and I felt sorry. I prayed, but I found it 
would overcome me. I did not know what to do, yet I 
prayed. But there came a moment, suddenly, and 
quicker than I can tell, when I raised my hand and 
struck the man in his face. Long I had withstood the 
rising of my temper, and now I was unhappy again, 
under condemnation. I hurried to my room and there 
prayed, and repented of what I had done. I felt terri- 
bly, for I thought nothing should ever come up between 
me and my God any more. I would serve Hhn who 
had done so much for me, to the end of my life, cost 
what it may. I was happy and satisfied once more, al- 
though I felt ashamed and grieved that I had so soon 
offended the loving Saviour, and I prayed earnestly that 
I might be kept watching, and looking to Jesus. I read 
about Peter on the water, walking, and I thought this 
stood for a warning to me not to do like him ; but that 
by faith I could be kept up, looking to Jesus. 



e^ south ameeica. 325 

The Discovery of a Hidden Enemy. 

However, I had now constant trouble with my tem- 
per, and trouble with so many other things. Those 
came of pride in the same way, and evil thinking, and 
I would pray and wrestle with God, and in tears I 
would cry out : " O Lord, Thou knowest I do not 
want those things in me ! Thou knowest I hate the 
very appearance of evil ! I want to be all Thine ! I 
want to be holy and pure ! " From this time I experi- 
enced such intense hungering and tliirsting for more of 
God, and to be a better Christian, as I termed it in my 
prayers, that I was almost constantly praying ; and yel 
this terrible fight going on withiji me all the time. Nc 
one knew what was going on within me. My outward 
life did but show the strictest consistency with the 
teachings of the Scriptures. I carried my New Testa- 
ment about with me to every place, and if I had but 
one minute's time, I would look into it, and read, and 
compare my own heart with it, and as I drank in every 
word, the hunger for a far different life — a higher and 
purer life, — only increased. Not that I was conscious 
of anything wrong that I had done all this time, since 
I struck the young man, either in word or deed ; but 
these inward troubles, these evil uprisings, these mov- 
ings in my own heart, oh, they tormented me so much ! 
Day and night I was praying, and sometimes my heart 



326 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE 

was so full of joy tliat I wept, and clapped my hands, 
and praised God for hours m my room ; and then those 
constant victories that I had over myself, strengthened 
me wonderfully ; for never had the evil yet gotten the 
upper hand ; but I had so much grace given me that I 
could keep it all down. Still there was this gnawing in 
my heart for something, I did not know . what, and I 
could not find it out, except that I felt bad when those 
evils rose within me, and I was blessed again in a few 
minutes after. Sometimes, though, I would be so 
grieved that I wept for hours, and prayed, because I 
seemed to be wrapt up entirely in self. 

Now, along with all this, I would sometimes lie awake 
upon my bed a long time and weep for joy, and clap my 
hands, and meditate upon my blessed Saviour and His 
wonderful word. It seemed as though I could then 
penetrate the meaning of Scripture better than ever, 
and the grandest and sweetest Christian life would 
loom up before me, and I would stretch out my hand 
to God as though trying to pull down to me, with all 
my might, this something that I wanted to make me 
well-pleasing in His sight. The morning came, and it 
was the same again. This lasted for four long, long, 
weary months. I was haj^jjy, — but oh, I wanted some- 
thing ; and I knew now that the state of my inner man 
kept me from possessing God entirely, as I thought. 
But then, I was comforted again by hearing the testi- 



IN SOUTH A]VIEEICA. 327 

monies of others. They seemed to be happy, too, and 
lived a Christian life, and they even sometimes spoke 
of these things that so troubled me ; but this was some- 
thing I could not do. I could not speak of it, for when 
I heard them speak of these things, I felt more ashamed 
and was more sure that this was wrong in me, and 
I thought I could never really glorify my Father. Then 
grief intensified, and new struggles ensued. 

The Repeession Theory. — The Disappointment. 

But at last I got hold of something that brought rest 
to me, in a certain way ; that is, I " would not " trouble 
so much as I used to, and bear as others bore ; and that 
was this : I seemed to gather from the experiences of 
others, that this way was " the Christian's warfare." I 
took hold of this as a drowning man would a straw. If 
others, older in experience, and so many in number, 
have the same experience, then of course it is this way 
with everybody. The idea gave me some comfort, and 
now my mind was quite made up to fight the good fight 
of faith — to work out my salvation with fear and trem- 
bling — and fight, and fight, the evil in me, till the last 
breath of life. By the help of God, I should ! Yes — 
I was determined to be and remain a Christian, and 
more so now than ever. So this was, then, the Chris- 
tian warfare, and I settled down on that, and said to 
myself, " Now, you might have saved yourself a good 



328 SIX YEARS WITH WILLIAM TAYLOR 

deal of trouble." This was all settled on an evening 
when quite alone with God, and my heart was overflow- 
ing with gratitude toward my Heavenly Father for re- 
vealing to me His wondrous love, mercy, and longsuf- 
fering. I know the Lord had much patience with me, 
and the feeling of humility at this time was sweet. 

That night I shall never forget, because in it all my 
new hopes had vanished away, and all my old fears had 
revived. The same troubles, the same uprisings ; and 
no matter how strongly I would plead the idea of the 
" Christian warfare," my inner man did not pay any at- 
tention to it, and I found that Christ did not reconcile 
Himself to the sin within me. Everything would now 
come up ; but especially with the lust of the flesh was 
I troubled, and the enemy would trouble me in a way 
and with thoughts of things that I never had when ac- 
tually living in sin. I threw myself across my bed. I 
wet the pillows with my tears, and told the Saviour the 
old story : "• Thou knowest I hate these things from the 
bottom of my inmost soul. I do not want anything 
filthy in my heart. I want Thee, and only Thee, to 
reign in my soul." There was no confession to outward 
sin, for God kept me from yielding to any temptation ; 
but I knew that those things did not arise from the out- 
side. I knew only too well they came from within, and 
I cried again to God to give me a pure and holy heart. 
I was well nigh worn out in body. My strong crying 



IN" SOUTH AMERICA. 329 

upon my bed, and my burning desire for more of God 
to the cleansing of my heart, was so intense that I 
thought I would be ill, and I asked God in earnest 
prayer, and in faith, for light and help. 

Now, I had not only testified for Jesus in jails, but 
also spoke in the name of Christ in the penitentiary of 
this State, to the prisoners there ; and one day, after 
leaving the chapel, I noticed a prisoner walking up to 
an officer on guard, close by where I stood talking with 
him. The officer gave me a sign to stop, and the 
prisoner turned toward me and handed me a little 
pamphlet. His eyes were full upon me, and filled with 
tears. It seemed like a dream to me. Before I could, 
tell what I had received, the prisoner had left me, for 
he was just permitted to give me this paper after the 
officer had examined it, but was not allowed to speak 
to me. Somehow, I felt it was something for me, and 
I could hardly await the time to see what it contained. 

A Peisoner Gives Me the " Guide to Holiness." 

Once more I stood just over my bed, for I had taken 
no time to sit down to read ; and then with trembling 
hand, I unfolded the pamphlet and read the Guide to 
Holiness. I was struck with the " Holiness.'' I had 
not seen this particular word in such large letters 
before, and I hastily turned over the first leaf, and there 
once more I read " Holiness unto the Lord." So many 



330 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE, 

thoughts now crowded my mind. This book in the 
penitentiary ! Somehow it had found its way there, 
and then, those tearful eyes, that man in the prison- 
yard, so full of emotion and love, it seemed. With an 
effort I drove away these pictures, and I read part of 
the " Experience of Hester Ann Rogers," and another 
part of Fletcher. I had never heard those names before, 
and I did not care who they were ; but what I read there 
thrilled my soul, and with trembling hands did I hold 
that blessed little paper, and with quivering lips, and 
with a heart full to overflowing, I perused those lines 
again. "My own experience ! " " My own desire ! " 
" My own experience ! " I could only cry out again 
and again. " O my God ! " I cried, and completely 
overcome with this wonderful power that flooded my 
soul, I fell on the floor, — the book had dropped from 
my grasp. I felt the color of my face change, and a 
tremor ran through my entire frame ; and then, stretch- 
ing out my arms to heaven, my eyes fixed on Jesus, in 
Person, as it seemed, and " O my great Redeemer ! my 
blessed Jesus ! " was all I could say for a time. 

Then burst forth that long pent-up desire of my soul, 
— the light had come, and now I lay drinking, drinking 
from the fountain of life. I opened my soul to God, 
and said, now, simply : "All, all is mine, blessed Jesus ! 
I now believe ! I now believe Thou dost cleanse me 
from my sin ! " 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 331 

The lines tliat spoke concerning Fletcher, had the 
text from John, "And the blood of Jesus Christ His 
Son cleanseth 'me just now' fi*om all sin." It was 
written in that way, and the words " me just now " 
fastened themselves upon me, and thus I stood before 
God. " The blood just now cleanseth me from all my 

sins." 

A Real Inweought Holiness. 

It seems now as though I cannot go on to say more. 
How can I say more ? 

I arose quietly, as though I dare not disturb the so- 
lemnity of the moments. I felt as though the room 
was filled with the angelic host, looking on in wonder 
and amazement to behold the mighty work of a cruci- 
fied Redeemer, whose name is " Wonderful, Everlasting 
Father, Prince of Peace." Scarcely touching the floor 
with my feet, I walked slowly to and fro in the room, 
silently pressing my hands upon each other again and 
again. All was so quiet about me, and heavenly peace 
seemed to reign. There was not that same outward 
nanifestation of joy as at the time of my conversion, 
vut a peace, calm as a river, flowing deep down in my 
inmost soul — a peace that passed all understanding. I 
/annot explain it, but I knew it was there. I possess- 
ed a real, inwrought holiness. Without a sound scarce- 
ly, proceeding from my lips, I merely whispered: 
" Glory to God ! glory, glory, glory ! " Then I sat 



332 SIX YEAES WITH WILLIAM TAYLOE. 

down upon my bed, intoxicated with Divine love. 
Then my physical man called for his rights, and when 
my head touched the pillow, I fell asleep, and oh, what 
a sleep ! like a man who had not been able to sleep for 
weeks, and dreaded the coming of the night, but had 
suddenly been healed and rested in sleep from a long 
and weary sickness. Sweet, refreshing sleep. 

Thus the peace of God settled down into my soul, 
and when I awoke late in the evening, it was there — 
the same blessed, real holiness, — the love of God made 
perfect in my soul ; and as I write down these lines, I 
find it is there still, but deeper, and sweeter, and more 
precious than ever before. Wondrous love ! Won- 
drous keeping power of the mighty Christ ! Glory be 
to His dear name ! To Him belongeth all the glory ; 
and if, in reading these lines, a soul is helped, a soul is 
rescued, a soul is filled with all the fullness of God and 
the power of a holy life, then the glory of God shall 
shine but brighter, and next we meet around the throne 
in glory, to crown Him Lord of all. 



THE CHRISTIAN WITNESS 

AND 

ADYOCATE OF BIBLE HOLINESS. 

EDITED BY 

Revs. "W. McDonald, Joshua Gill, and (x. D. Watson, D.D. 



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In addition to the editorial management of the above, besides 
articles from some of the best writers on Holiness, the Witness 
contains letter from Missionaries in nearly every part of the 
world. 

BISHOP WM, TAYLOR 

is one of onr regular contributors, and others of his African 
party will keep our readers posted on the great African Mission. 
Bishop Taylor's Transit Fund is regularly reported in our col- 
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The WITNESS shall take the lead 

in the dissemination of information regarding the progress in 
all parts of the world of the great Self-Supporting Mission 
movement, while at the same time, the main idea, 

"TO SPREAD SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS OVER THESE LANDS," 

BhaU be prosecuted vigorously. 

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